A SHIPLEY pub has been wrongly displaying a five star hygiene rating despite being given just one star at its last inspection.

The Hockney in Dale Street was still sporting a green full marks sticker yesterday morning, although on February 25 it received the second lowest possible assessment with the comment “major improvement necessary,” from Bradford Council’s environmental health department

The Hockney’s manager Jason McLoughlin said there was confusion over what it’s rating should be:

“We took over in June last year and it had five stars, then we had an inspection in February and there were a couple of minor things, such as a loose tap, and we thought the assessment of one star was unfair, considering how extremely clean the kitchen was.

“We then had a revisit in March and the person who came then agreed with us and said he couldn’t understand why we’d been issued with one star.”

“Leaving the sticker there has just been an oversight as we haven’t got our new rating yet.”

Another member of staff added: “We pride ourselves on the food we produce and get a lot of good feedback.

“We have taken really large steps to improve the hygiene and keep the kitchen and the food as sharp as possible.

A spokesman for Bradford Council’s environmental health department, which monitors local eateries on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, confirmed there had been a return visit to the Hockney on March 16, but that was a standard follow-up to check on the requested improvements, which might have caused confusion

He also said there had been no submission for a regrade, which the Hockney could have done at any time within three months of the February inspection.

Nor was there any indication of an appeal.

Food hygiene stars can only be given following an uninvited inspection by officers of any food outlet - and displaying them is voluntary.

“We will investigate the circumstances around the issue now it has been brought to our attention and take the appropriate action,” he said.

Shipley Mp Philip Davies said food hygiene star ratings should be used as a guide.

“Clearly the star system is flawed if people can get away with displaying out of date information, but the problem with making it statutory is that even those responsible for the system will accept that it only provides a snapshot and may not be a full picture,” Mr Davies said.

“People should be warned against total reliance on the star system when assessing a food outlet whether the rating displayed is good or bad,” he added.

Councillor David Ward,, (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) has campaigned to would have ratings to compulsorily displayed..

“It really is all over the place and this highlights the case,” Cllr Ward said.

“If a restaurant doesn’t display a sign, does that mean it’s been assessed or not?

“We have a basic right to know if somewhere is up to scratch.”