THE proprietor of Harkers Corner Café in Rhyl has criticised the one-star rating the café received just a few weeks ago, saying the hygiene inspector “abused” his authority while also upsetting staff.

Harkers was given a one-star rating by the inspector for the local authority (Denbighshire County Council), a decision that has left owner Darren Cooper frustrated, having only taken over the lease three days prior.

“We took over the business on the Monday, and they visited on the Thursday,” Mr Cooper told the Journal.

“The kitchen was spotless, and the reason we were marked down was because the allergen reports weren’t on-site, because we’d only just finished producing the new menu the day before and they were in my head chef’s car, who was off that day.”

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Mr Cooper also owns the popular LC Drink & Dine in Llandudno, which has a rating of 5, and was critical of the inspector who rated their Rhyl establishment.

“When I talked to the guy on the phone, he spoke to me like he was a headteacher and I was a naughty school boy.

“He was no less than a bully – he was happy with everything apart from this paperwork, and even when given it he wouldn’t accept it,” said Mr Cooper.

“He made the girl behind the counter cry, and one of my chefs asked if I wanted his resignation because we had been given a 1 and he’d done nothing wrong at all.

“If we had been there for months, even weeks, and just not done anything then that would be absolutely more than fair for him to score us how he did.”

They have subsequently reported the inspector to the local authority, with the rating exposing what Mr Cooper perceives is an “abuse” of authority.

Mr Cooper has also welcomed a fine for failing to display the rating, which is a legal requirement, further threatening to close the whole café down instead of showing the hygiene rating.

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“The system of point scoring and having to display it is normally a positive, but there are times when, unfortunately, people abuse their authority and this is one of those occasions.

“We have not put it [the rating] in the window yet, because I would rather get a fine and go to court – we don’t deserve it, it’s not fair.

“Before I do that [put the rating in the window] I’ll take my lease on the premise and close the café.”

Harkers paid £180 on the day of the inspection for another one, but this could take up to six months to be undertaken.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “Environmental health officers often need to enter and inspect food premises without having to make an appointment or give advance notice. This is to ensure that food hygiene standards are assessed without prior notification.

“The frequency of visits varies between every six months and every three years, depending on the type of business and previous hygiene record. Officers may also visit premises following a complaint from a member of the public.

“The outcome of this particular visit and further input from officers has been raised and discussed with the owner. Recommendations have been put forward to the business for improvements to improve the Food Hygiene Rating.

“The Council takes any complaints seriously regarding services and will deal with any submitted through the Council’s complaints process.”

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