We all love to go out for a drink and a bite to eat and we want to know the food put in front of us has been cooked properly in clean conditions.

Yet there are 39 pubs in Kent which have been given a hygiene rating of 0 or 1 or 2 from the Foods Standards Agency.

The hygiene ratings range from zero to five, with five meaning standards are very good and fully comply with the law, while zero means urgent improvement is necessary.

Tonbridge and Malling had the highest number of pubs rated under three, with Sevenoaks the next highest number with six and Tunbridge Wells with five.

Here is the list of the 39 pubs with 0-2 ratings.

Ashford

Chequers Inn, The Street, Smarden

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the venue in March this year and deemed improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling was generally satisfactory at the pub, but improvement was needed in cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.

The staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "The inspection happened while we were undergoing refurbishment work.

"We have asked for another inspection as we have now finished the work and we have always had a five rating before.

"The inspectors said they would come back in June and do it again and told us as long as the pub stayed the same was, we would be rated five again.

"It seem unfair you get rated on the building when it is the food handling they should be looking at and we have always maintained a five when it comes to food hygiene."

Six Bells, Bethersden Road, Woodchurch

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in November last year and found major improvement was necessary.

In hygienic food handling it was found to be generally satisfactory, but improvement was necessary in the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building and staff's management of food safety needs major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Canterbury

The Monument, Church Street, Whitstable

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the venue in February this year and found improvement necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement, but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building were generally satisfactory.

The staff's management of food safety was also found to be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "A couple of the problems were structural and we were given until April to rectify all issues.

"We did that within a week and are waiting on another inspection to get our rating back up."

Dartford

Greenhithe & Swanscombe Royal British Legion Social Club, London Road, Greenhithe

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the venue in May last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement, but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building was good and the staff's management of food safety was also found to be good.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Dover

Jackdaw Inn, The Street, Denton

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in October last year and found in improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the venue needed improvement but the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building were generally satisfactory.

The staff's management of food safety was found to also be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "The pub has undergone refurbishment works and we are waiting another inspection.

"We have always had a four or five rating before."

Old Lantern Inn, The Street, Martin

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in March this year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building were generally satisfactory.

Staff's management of food safety was also found to be generally satisfactory.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Thompson Bell, Dover Road, Walmer

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in February this year and found hygienic food handling at the venue was found to be generally satisfactory

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement and staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

Landlord of the pub, Gerard Mullrooney said: "It was about the paperwork not being up-to-date and I only did food once a week on a Sunday.

"I have stopped doing it now (food) because of the inspection as they just ruin businesses. It is very unfair."

Mill Inn, Mill Hill, Deal

Food hygiene rating: 0

Inspectors visited the venue in April this year and found urgent improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling needed improvement and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building also needed improvement.

Inspectors also found safety staff's management of food safety needed urgent improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Folkestone and Hythe

The Gatekeeper, Canterbury Road, Etchinghill

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the establishment in March this year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement and the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building were found to be generally satisfactory, as was the staff's management of food safety.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We had appealed against an early rating and had addressed all the issues EHO (Environmental Health Officer) had brought to our attention.

"Unfortunately, on the day of their re-visit sod’s law prevailed.

"We had a pre-booked lunch for around 50 visiting French walkers all having roast turkey dinners, on top of this our extraction system had literally blown up the day before so the temperature in the kitchen was hitting 40C.

"To circumvent the problem I had amassed every electric fan I could find to get some air flow through the kitchen so I admit it was a messy situation with cables all over the show.

"In hospitality you can’t let the customer down. You have to do what must be done to keep everyone happy.

"There was no hygiene risk from doing this. I understand that EHO have an important job to do and that they have to report what they find on the spot.

"There is no leeway. We have previously held 4 and 5 ratings.

"We will continue to address EHO’s concerns to the best of our ability. We obviously want to do what is right and proper to ensure the quality and safety of our food offerings."

Rose & Crown, High Street, Elham

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in November last year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory as was the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We have applied for another inspection. It was the first one since I took over the pub.

"We were given that rating because my chef had left his lunch in the fridge after bringing it in from home.

"The inspector said it was out of date because it had been in a freezer. The system seems unfair it had nothing to do with food handling and hygiene."

Gravesham

The Darnley Arms, Trafalgar Road, Gravesend

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in August last year and found improvement was necessary at the establishment.

It was found hygienic food handling at he venue was very good, but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be good.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Prince Albert, Wrotham Road, Gravesend

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in June 2017 and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling was good but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Earl Grey, Vale Road, Northfleet

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in March this year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling was generally satisfactory at the pub but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

And staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Maidstone

The Cock Inn, Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in February this year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building was generally satisfactory

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

A spokesman for Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) said: "A Maidstone Borough Council officer undertook a revisit to The Cock Inn, Boughton Monchelsea on 15 May 2019, to check on progress with the contraventions found at the routine inspection.

"This visit was not related in any way to its food hygiene rating score.

"However, we can confirm MBC has received an application from this business requesting a re-score and a re-inspection will be undertaken at some point between the 10 June and the 10 July.

"The business is aware of this."

Medway

Princes Park Pub, The Princes Park, Neighbourhood Centre, Princes Avenue, Walderslade

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in March last year and found improvement was necessary

It was found hygienic food handling needed improvement and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building also needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We don't even do food."

King George V, Prospect Row, Brompton, Gillingham

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in April and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

The staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Sevenoaks

Elson's @ The G+D, George and Dragon, Market Square, Westerham

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in July last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling was good at the put but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building were found to need improvement

The staff's management of food safety is generally satisfactory.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Grasshopper On The Green, Grasshopper Inn, The Green, Westerham

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in August 2016 and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

The staff's management of food safety was generally satisfactory.

However, a business run by Mr & Mrs Sadlier operates the catering as a separate business from the pub and the catering business is rated 3.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Little Brown Jug, Tonbridge Road, Chiddigstone Causeway

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in November last year and found improvement necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement and so did the cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building.

However, the staff's management of food safety was generally satisfactory.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Secret Cask, High Street, Edenbridge

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the establishment in August last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was very good but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

The staff's management of food safety was generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the micropub said: "We don't even do food. The inspector was unhappy we didn't have a hot tap, so we have now rectified this.

"The inspector was also unhappy we kept a back door open but I am not bothered too much about the rating as we don't do food."

The Castle Hotel, High Street, Eynsford

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in August 2017 and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the premises needed improvement but the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building was good.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

Owner Sharon Thompson said: "Unfortunately we were unlucky that the EHO (environmental health officer) lady came to do her inspection a few days after we had completed a £20,000 renovation to our kitchen.

"When she did her checks she was pleased with the general cleanliness, labeling etc but marked us down massively because of the following.

"Our blue roll dispenser, soap dispencers and signage had not been put up.

"Also our paperwork was not up to date.

"I realize that she was correct that by law these things should have been done but anyone who has ever done a major refurbishment will tell you it does take a little time to reorganise the kitchen. Since then of course all off the above has been corrected and we still carry on our strict cleaning and hygiene standards.

"We have a large clientele at The Castle who come back to us week after week and also being a family business we all dine in our own restaurant so with this in mind, we would never put our customers or ourselves in danger by running a dirty unprofessional kitchen.

"I invite the EHO lady to re-visit anytime as I do believe we run and have always ran a 5 star operation."

The Bridges Pub, Horton Road, South Darenth

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the establishment in March 2017 and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was good and the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building were generally satisfactory.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We do not do food."

Swale

Chequers Inn, The Street, Doddington

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in December last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement and cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building was found to be generally satisfactory.

Staff's management of food safety was also generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We have asked for a rescore as we were marked down because the inspector said our fridge-freezer was overstocked.

"My business is expanding and so I have now spent £11,000 on a new bigger fridge-freezer and as soon as that is installed we will get the inspector back who has already said we would get a higher score once it is installed."

Albion Bar, High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in December and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was very good and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building were found to be good.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Bull Inn, High Street, Newington

Food hygiene rating: 1

Staff visited the pub in June last year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Four Horseshoes, The Freewheel, Head Hill Road, Graveney

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in November last year and found major improvement was necessary.

Hygienic food handling at the establishment was found to be very good but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

And inspectors found staff's management of food safety needed major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

Thanet

The Lighthouse Bar, Stone Pier, Margate

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in August last year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory and cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety needed major improvement.

A spokesman for the bar said: "We didn't do food at the time of the inspection.

"We were given that rating because our hot water boiler was not working at the time, but it is now fixed."

Tonbridge and Malling

Hadlow College Social Club, Tonbridge Road, Hadlow, Tonbridge

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the club in January and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the establishment was good, cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building needed improvement and staff's management of food safety was good.

A spokesman for Hadlow College said: “The inspection took place on 30th January 2018.

"Following this grade all recommendations within the report were addressed.

"A decision was also taken to no longer serve food within the social club and bar.”

The Red Bull, Mackenders Lane, Eccles, Aylesford

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in May last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory and the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We stopped doing food at the beginning of the year."

Robin Hood Freehouse, High Street, Borough Green, Sevenoaks

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in April last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling was found to be generally satisfactory but cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found generally satisfactory.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Black Horse, Tumblefield Road, Stansted, Sevenoaks

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in July last year and found it needed improvement.

It was found hygienic food handling at the establishment needed improvement as did cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "Our rating had nothing to do with food hygiene or handling, it was that our paperwork was not up-to-date."

The Royal Oak, Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge

Food hygiene rating: 2

Inspectors visited the pub in October last year and found improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory, but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We put in a complaint to Tonbridge and Mallling Council about the way the inspection was done. We don't even serve food."

The Bell Inn, Three Elm Lane, Golden Green, Tonbridge

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the site in November 2017 and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory but cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building needed improvement.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement necessary.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Rose Revived, Ashes Lane, Hadlow, Tonbridge

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in August last year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement as did the cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building and staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Manager Paul Wallace said: "The Rose Revived is a very old building and this in itself provides daily challenges.

"In the time since our last inspection, significant changes have taken place in our internal team training procedures in all areas.

"We are confident of achieving a high score upon reappraisal and this will be taking place in the near future.

"We are also proud to have received a TripAdvisor certificate of achievement for consistent fantastic reviews in the last year."

Tunbridge Wells

Oak & Ivy, Rye Road, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in June last year and found major improvement was necessary

It was found hygienic food handling was generally satisfactory at the pub, but cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building needed improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The Chequers Inn, The Broadway, Lamberhurst

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in August last year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub needed improvement and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building was found to need major improvement.

Staff's management of food safety was found to be generally satisfactory.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

The George And Dragon, The Riverside, School Hill, Lamberhurst

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in March and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic food handling at the pub was generally satisfactory as was cleanliness and condition of facilities and its building.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We think it's unfair we got a 1 rating.

"We've had the inspector back and she's now said we will get at least a 4 rating.

"But the official inspection will not happen until June."

The Imperial Pub, London Road, Southborough

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in July last year and found major improvement was necessary.

It was found hygienic handling needed improvement but the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building was generally satisfactory.

However, staff's management of food safety needed major improvement.

A spokesman for the pub said: "We have always been rated a five before.

"The inspector suggested some improvements and we made them. She came back in the October and was pleased with the improvements but wanted our Italian chefs to go on a food hygiene course but we need to find an Italian language one so the inspector accepted that was going to be difficult.

"That was the only problem we were marked down on even though we have been given five ratings in the past and they had not done the course.

"I wanted a re-inspection but was told I had to pay £160 for it to be done, so I don't think the system is fair.

"My customers trust me, we serve lots of food and we are a very busy pub."

The Ragged Trousers, The Pantiles

Food hygiene rating: 1

Inspectors visited the pub in February and found major improvement was necessary.

It was round hygienic food handling at the establishment was generally satisfactory as was cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.

However, staff's management of food safety was found to need major improvement.

Attempts made to contact the management at the pub were unsuccessful.

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