ELEVEN takeaways, restaurants, cafes and hotels across East Lancashire stepped into the new year with the worst possible available food hygiene rating – zero – while more than 100 more have only received a rating of one.

Bosses of 128 food businesses in Blackburn, Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley have all been told they need either urgent or major improvement to fall in line with government standards for food safety and hygiene.

Among other issues, many reasons for concern include kitchen cleanliness, the availability of hand washing facilities, pest control standards and system checks.

The ratings, available to view online on the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) website, show that places such as Zen Zen in Blackburn, The Griffins Head in Huncoat and La Villa in Colne are all among the establishments falling short and in need of a major standards overhaul.

Blackburn with Darwen Council environment boss Cllr Jim Smith said it was ‘key’ that these business owners get their acts together to ensure the safety of their customers.

He said: “My advice to people is to always check what the ratings are before going for a meal. Those proud of their scores – those with five stars – generally let people know by putting their stickers in the window.

“We work hard to ensure standards are maintained and those not complying need to up their game. This is a competitive game and they’ll go without unless they do.

“Businesses with low ratings are comprising the health and safety of their customers and staff and should be doing all they can to change that.”

However of all the businesses on the receiving end of a low rating, only bosses at the Griffin’s Head have responded to their score.

On the FSA website, a statement reads: “Following this visit we took immediate disciplinary action against all kitchen staff and undertook urgent staff hazard analysis and critical control points training to ensure the safer food better business management procedures were being adhered to.

“We also made the necessary and recommended improvements as advised by the Hyndburn environmental health organisation.”

All scores were correct according to the FSA website as of January 1.

BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN

Zero stars with date of last inspection.

1. Zen Zen, Redlam, Blackburn: October 31.

One star

1. Aftabs, Leach Street, Blackburn. Date of inspection: May 14

2. Korean Grub Club, Blackburn Market.

3. Almurshid Grocers, July Street, Blackburn: May 14

4. Bastwell News, Whalley New Road: September 10

5. Bees Breakfast, Culshaw Street: February 15.

6. Best 4 Less, Queens Park Road: August 12.

7. Cheeky Vandos, Lynwood Road. July 23.

8. Chester Stores, Chester Street: February 14.

9. Cube Desserts, Regent Street: September 18.

11. East Lake News, Preston New Road: December 19.

12. Eldon Halal Meat & Grocers, 19 Eldon Road: September 30.

13. Frozen Delight, Northgate: March 13.

14. Haidari Foodstore, Eldon Road: November 6.

15. Hajats Homemade Food, Audley Range: May 14.

16. Hajis Takeaway, Whalley Range: March 13.

17. Haslingden Road General Store: February 12.

18. Ivy Hotel, Infirmary Street: July 23.

19. Kathrada Stores, Queens Park Road: August 12.

20. Khan’s Spice Takeaway, Johnston Street. January 15.

21. Krakow, Bank Top. February 13.

22. Lahore Qila, Whalley New Road. February 5.

23. Late Nite Mini market, Whalley Banks. September 11.

24. M H Halal Meat, Queens Part Road. January 2019.

25. Maroosh, Darwen Street. July 30.

26. Meran’s Corner Shop, Hancock Street. June 4.

27. Naga Spice, Bolton Road. November 12.

28. New Top Choice Food Store, Whalley Old Road. October 22.

29. Patel Grocers, London Road. October 25.

30. Pizza + Grill City. New Chapel Street. July 9.

31. Pound Store, Devonport Road. March 1.

32. Premier Convenience Story, Whalley Old Road. September 10.

33. Purple Patch Community Café, Bangor Street Youth and Community Centre. March 11.

34. Ray’s Fish and Chips, Openshaw Drive. November 14.

35. Sam’s Bar, Higher Church Street. October 23.

36. Seedat’s Newsagents, Stansfeld Street. July 29.

37. Shahi Kebab House, Whalley Range. November 5.

38. Sidra Cash and Carry, Whalley New Road, November 20.

39. Sky Lounge, Preston New Road, August 5.

40. Solkar Hala Butchers, Audley Range, March 6.

41. Sultan Sweet Centre, Whalley Range, June 11.

42. Superfine Service Stations, Whalley Range, September 5.

43. Taste of India, Mincing Lane, September 19.

44. Tasty Spot, Darwen Street, June 19.

45. Tuck Inn, Shear Brow, September 11.

46. Udat News, King William Street, July 4.

47. Wensley Mini Market, Wensley Road, July 1.

48. Yex Oriental Store, Accrington Road, April 9.

49. Zeddy’s Chicken and Pizza, Shadsworth Road, August 20.

50. Bamboo House, Fore Street, Darwen, July 9.

51. Curry Palace, Railway Road, Darwen, January 9.

52. IS Newsagents, Bolton Road, Darwen, July 16.

53. Polash Tandoori, Bolton Road, Darwen, February 6.

54. Scott Stewart Fruit and Veg, Darwen Market, October 9.

55. Strawbury Duck, Edgworth, February 12.

56. The Cantonese Box, Duckworth Street, Darwen, July 15.

57. Tom Wood Artisan Butchers, Blackburn Market, July 17.

58. The Tripe Stall, Blackburn Market, November 18.

59. Candy’s Cafe, Sarah Street, Darwen, September 25

60. Darwen Mini Mart, Blackburn Road, Darwen, February 6.

61. Pound Express, Railway Road, Darwen, July 22.

HYNDBURN

0- star ratings:

1. Curry Club at Sahelli Centre, Charter Street: March 17

2. GKFF Ltd, Fountain Street, Accrington: April 10

3. Griffins Head, Burnley Road: October 10

4. Zainad: Whalley Road, Accrington. March 6.

1-star ratings:

1. Charkys, Blackburn Road, Accrington. August 2.

2. Conservative Club, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors: September 12

3. Heys Inn, Stonebridge Lane, Oswaldtwistle: November 8

4. Joy Thai, Peel Street, Accrington: August 8.

5. Kenny’s News and Booze, Regent Road, Church: September 2.

6. Lancashire Tea Room and More, Cornhill Arndale Centre, Accrington: September 19.

7. Molly’s Bakery, Queen Street, Great Harwood: May 1.

8. Parmos, Blackburn Road, Accrington: September 26.

9. RT Multishop @ Bestone, Burton Street, Rishton: September 4.

10. The Whitecroft, Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle: August 22

11. TJ’s (The Juniper), Blackburn Road, Great Harwood: November 8.

BURNLEY (ONE STAR)

1. Take A Taste, Standish Street, Burnley: April; 9.

2. Sulimania Tandoori Takeaway, Colne Road: October 7.

3. Delicious Pizza Ltd, Church Street: July 31

4. Dickie Pinks, Tunnel Street, Burnley: May 10

5. Fu Lam, Church Street, Padiham: November 26

6. Gretna Fish and Chips, Cog Lane: April 11

7. Lahori Kebabish, Plumbe Street: August 14

8. My Store, Brennand Street: May 11

9. New Taste, Burnley Road, Padiham: November 13

10. Pakistan & Bangladesh Food Store: November 2.

11. Smartprice, Florence Street: October 8.

RIBBLE VALLEY (ONE STAR)

1. Jun Yue, Whalley Road, Clitheroe: October 24.

PENDLE

0-star ratings

1. Bus Stop Café, Kelbrook Road, Salterforth: September 11

2. Park2Chippy, Scotland Road, Nelson, November 20

3. Kismat, Manchester Road, Nelson: October 25

4. La Villa, Church Street, Colne: October 31

5. Lawson’s Butchers, Market Street, Colne: October 4

1-star ratings:

1. Al Pacinos, Market Street, Colne: October 22.

2. Asha Indian Take-Away, Colne Road, Brierfield: March 19 2018

3. BBQ 2NIGHT, Leeds Road, Nelson: August 1.

4. Café Cargo, Warehouse Lane, Colne: September 17

5. Chocstop Diner, Manchester Road, Nelson: June 20 2018

6. Dixy Fried Chicken, Burnley Road, Brierfield: October 10

7. Dixy Fried Chicken, Manchester Road, Nelson: September 26

8. Happy Garden, Glenfield Road, Nelson: October 26 2017

9. Hare and Hounds Inn, Skipton Old Road, Foulridge: May 15 2018

10. Istanbul Take-Away, Church Street, Colne: October 15

11. Kate’s Kitchen, Scotland Road, Nelson: September 17

12. Knotts Lane Convenience Store, Cotton Mill, Knotts Lane, Colne: February 1

13. No.10 Kebab and Pizza House, Dockray Street, Colne: August 12

14. Phillips Lane Chippy, Burnley Road, Colne: November 20

15. Pizza Uno, Scotland Road, Nelson: March 26

16. Pronto Pizza, Windy Bank, Colne: April 29

17. The Chai pot: Scotland Road, Nelson: June 18

18. The Oaks, Colne Road, Brierfield: October 24

19. UK Fried Chicken (Halal), Manchester Road, Nelson: August 13

20. Wing Fa, Leeds Road, Nelson. November 13.

21. Ho King, Windsor Street, Colne, November 25.

22. Pizza Perfection, Leeds Road, Nelson, November 18.

ROSSENDALE

0 stars:

1. Jubilee Stores, Jubilee Road, Haslingden: October 2018.

1 star:

1. Babolli Pizza House, Pleasant Street, Haslingden: June 6

2. Freddy’s Chicken and Pizza, Bury Road, Rawtenstall: April 30

3. Happy Garden, Market Street, Bacup: March 7

4. Haslingden Food Store, Manchester Road, Haslingden: March 22

5. Kiran, Burnley Road, Waterfoot: September 25

6. Millon Indian Takeaway, Manchester Road, Haslingden: October 3 2018

7. Pizza Time Express, Market Street, Whitworth: March 26.

8. Pizza Uno, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads: August 1

9. Premier, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads: May 23 2018

10. Welcome Village, Burnley Road, Waterfoot: February 14