SeaRock, a renowned fish and chip restaurant in Portishead, recently received a one-star hygiene rating following a Food Standards Agency inspection in March. This came as a surprise to many, given SeaRock’s history of consistently high hygiene scores and industry accolades.
Owner Ibrahim Canatan explained that the inspection coincided with a short period of management restructuring within the kitchen, which temporarily impacted their usual high standards. “The inspection on 17 March took place during a transitional phase in our management,” Canatan said. “This caused a brief deviation from our normally impeccable hygiene practices, which have otherwise earned us a 5-star rating.”
The Food Standards Agency evaluates premises based on three key criteria: hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities, and food safety management, including staff knowledge. SeaRock was rated as “generally satisfactory” in cleanliness and facilities. However, the establishment needed major improvements in hygienic food handling and food safety management.
In response, SeaRock has taken decisive measures to rectify these issues. Canatan shared, “We have revamped our kitchen leadership and operational procedures to ensure they meet the exceptional quality our customers expect. Specifically, all technical concerns raised—such as labeling and record-keeping—were immediately addressed following the inspection.”
Additionally, SeaRock has fully adopted the ‘Safer Food, Better Business’ system and ensured all staff have up-to-date food safety certifications. The restaurant has formally applied for a re-inspection by North Somerset Council and is collaborating closely with the Environmental Health Officer. “We are confident our efforts will restore our 5-star hygiene rating very soon,” Canatan affirmed.
Despite the recent rating setback, SeaRock continues to enjoy strong customer support, holding a 4.6 out of 5 stars from 773 Google reviews and having received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for two consecutive years. The restaurant remains committed to delivering excellent food in a safe and hygienic environment.