28 takeaways in Kent with a zero or one rating for food hygiene
Published: 16:20, 27 March 2019
Updated: 09:53, 28 March 2019
We all get home late from work on occasions and cannot be bothered to cook dinner.
Yet hundreds of people are ordering their Chinese or pizza in Kent from takeaways with a zero or one rating for food hygiene, according to analysis carried out by KentOnline.
There are 28 such establishments in the county which had been given the lowest ratings by the Food Standards Agency.
The hygiene ratings range from zero to five, with five meaning standards are very good and fully comply with the law.
Swale is the poor rating capital of Kent, with five takeaways with a one rating and two with a zero rating.
It is closely followed by Medway, which had six sites ranked at one.
By contrast, Canterbury, Dartford and Sevenoaks had no takeaways which fell into the categories.
Here are the places rated poorly in the county.
Ashford
The Fat Friars
Hunter Avenue, Willesborough
It was given a one rating in November, when the fish and chip shop was found to need major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Canterbury
There are no takeaways with either a zero or one rating in the area.
Dartford
There are no takeaways with either a zero or one rating in the area.
Dover
Orient Noodle Bar
King Street, Dover
It was was given a one rating in August and needs major improvement.
A spokesman said: "The premises is hygienic and clean and there were no issues.
"It was just the records which were not up to date. It is hard enough running a business as it is and I am waiting for the inspectors to come back and do another inspection as it's not good for business."
Subway
White Cliffs Business Park, Whitfield
The sandwich franchise's store was given a zero rating in January and inspectors found urgent improvements were necessary.
In fact, in January the branch was forced to close its doors after an infestation of mice was found.
A statement from Dover District Council confirmed the rodents were discovered during an inspection by environmental health officers following a complaint from someone.
However, the sandwich shop has now reopened.
Efforts to contact the store have been unsuccessful.
Folkestone and Hythe
Best Kebab
Foord Road, Folkestone
It was given a one rating in January and was found to need major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Codfather
High Street, Dymchurch
The fish and chip shop was also given a one rating in January and needs major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Dabba
The Spice Pot, Martello Drive, Hythe
It also got a one rating in January and needs major improvement.
Efforts to contact the store have been unsuccessful.
Gravesham
Jade Garden
Parrock Street, Gravesend
This Chinese takeaway was given the rating in May last year and was found to need major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Tasty House
Granville Road, Gravesend
The Chinese got the rating in March last year and inspectors found major improvement was needed.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Maidstone
Atilla Kebab House
Gabriels Hill, Maidstone
It was given a one rating in November and was found to need major improvement.
A spokesman for the take-away said: "The one rating had nothing to do with hygiene it was about not filling in the forms.
"We are having another inspection next week."
Pizza Hot 4 You
High Street, Maidstone
It got a one rating in January and inspectors found major improvement was necessary at the venue.
A spokesman for the pizza outlet said: "We had some issues with some equipment and had to get some things fixed.
"We have almost got all that done now and I have called the council and asked them to come and do another inspection.
"We hope to get a better rating then."
Medway
Dixy Chicken
Canterbury Street, Gillingham
The takeaway was given a one rating in August and inspectors found major improvement was necessary.
A spokesman for the take-away said: "We have just changed ownership and this inspection was done under the old management which has gone now.
"We have applied for another inspection and hope to get that soon.
"It will be at least a four rating I guarantee you that."
Far East Express
Station Road, Rainham
It was given a one rating in October and was found to need major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Peking Express
Station Road, Strood
It was given a one rating in December and inspectors found there was major improvements necessary a the Chinese takeaway.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Rose Garden
Canterbury Street, Gillingham
It was given a one rating in February and was found to need major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Sandhu Takeaway
Franklin Road Gillingham
It was given a one rating in August last year and inspectors found it needs major improvement.
Sandhu Takeaway did not respond to requests for comment.
Town Kebab House
High Street Gillingham
It was given a one rating in January and was found to need major improvement.
Town Kebab House declined to comment.
Sevenoaks
There are no takeaways with either a zero or one rating in the area.
Swale
Anokhi Indian Takeaway
School Mews, Iwade
It was given a one rating in October and was found to need major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Briny Chip Shop
Trafalgar Parade, The Broadway, Minster-on-Sea
The takeaway was given a one rating in January.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Ossies Fish Bar
West Street Sittingbourne
It was given a one rating in January and was inspectors found major improvement was necessary.
Ossies Fish Bar did not respond to requests for comment.
Sheppey Peri Peri
High Street, Sheerness
It was given a one rating in November when inspectors found major improvement was necessary.
A spokesman for the take-away said: "We have already rebooked for the inspector to come again and they have already mentioned we will get a four.
"It was about the paperwork nothing else and we expect the inspector to come within a month."
The Kingsferry Tandoori
Broadway, Sheerness
This Indian restaurant was given a one rating in January and was found to need major improvement.
A spokesman for the Indian take-away said: "Cleaning was not a problem that's always a five star.
"It was the books, the record keeping which got us the one rating."
Frydays Fish And Chips
Minster Road, Minster-on-Sea
It was given a zero rating in September and inspectors found major improvement was necessary at the take-away outlet.
A spokesman said: "Our boiler had broken down on the day of the inspection and we were given a zero rating because of that.
"It has been repaired now and we do carry out all our health and safety procedures correctly.
"We are hoping to have another inspection in a couple of weeks."
Papa John's
West Street, Sittingbourne
The pizza place was also given a zero rating in February and inspectors found urgent improvement was necessary.
A spokesman for the takeaway said: "The inspection was done before I took over.
"We have only been operating her for just over two weeks and we hope we will get a new inspection soon so we can get a better score as we are brand new owners."
Thanet
Texas Pizza
Northdown Road, Margate
It was given a one rating in August and inspectors found major improvement necessary.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Tonbridge and Malling
Happy Times
London Road, Larkfield
It was inspected in June last year and given a one rating and inspectors found the Chinese take away needed major improvement.
Efforts to contact the restaurant have been unsuccessful.
Premier Fish Bar
Premier Parade, Aylesford
It was inspected in March last year and given a one rating the inspectors found the fish and chip shop needed major improvement.
A spokesman for the fish bar said: "The inspector, a woman was funny with us and we were a five before. She gave us a one in March and I complained about it.
"So two inspectors came back in May and gave us a four rating, but the website has still not been updated so we complained again as it is still showing us as a one."
A spokesman for Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council said: "We can confirm that both premises currently have a Food Standards Agency rating of one.
"Premier Fish Bar has not formally requested a rating re-visit."
Tunbridge Wells
Cheese Pizza
Rusthall High Street, Rusthall
was given the rating in November last year as inspectors found major improvement was necessary at the establishment.
A spokesman for Cheese Pizza said: "We are awaiting a new inspection on Monday, March 25 and we have sorted all the problems.
"We want a five star rating as everything has been sorted out."
Subway
London Road, Tunbridge Wells
It was given the rating in February and inspectors found major improvement was necessary at the sandwich shop.
Khyati Singh who runs the shop said: "A customer had sabotaged our toilet the night before our inspection and we told the inspector it would be repaired within 24-hours.
"I have been running the shop for many years, in fact this is my eighth year running this Subway and we know exactly what we are doing and we do carry out all health and safety procedures correctly.
"A trainee was in the shop at the time of the inspection and didn't know where out procedures records book was kept, that was because the trainee was brand new.
"I am already disputing the rating with the council.
"We have appealed against it as well and I have spoken to the office for judicial review and we have also paid for another inspection to be carried out soon."
More by this author
Lynn Cox