Online restaurant info off the menu (From Bournemouth Echo)

I submitted the original letter about restaurant stars and awards. I checked either the Bournemouth Council or Scores On Doors websites a couple of weeks ago and found the star awards on local restaurants (with as expected some nasty surprises. Funnily enough after writing the letter I had a look and was unable to find anything. I have just called Bournemouth Council who say they have dropped the Scores on Doors ratings.

I wonder why? I was not offered any enlightening explanation. Perhaps too many restaurants complained about their low ratings!

Many of my friends were unaware of Scores on Doors, and laughed when I said I always checked before eating out. Now they proudly tell me when they have found somewhere displaying a 4 or 5 star award (which is the top end). Perhaps more people should be aware this information is available - certainly in many councils (outside Bournemouth) including London.

If any of you have seen restaurant hygiene programs on TV, you will see it is in your interest for Bournemouth council to resume this very important service.

As for me, in future I will only go to hotel and restaurant chains which are rated highly elsewhere. I will not risk eating anywhere else in Bournemouth until the Scores on Doors becomes available again.

The best solution is to ignore all these stars and awards and eat at home, the food and venue will be exactly to your taste and the cost will be whatever you want it to be.