Information for Elmbridge Community Services clients at the Weybridge Library Hub

Following a recent food hygiene inspection, Elmbridge was awarded a 1 out of 5 food hygiene rating. We want to be open with our Community Services customers about what this means and, importantly, what we are doing to address it.

The rating is only relevant to Elmbridge Community Services clients who have a hot food offer and not to the other users of the Weybridge Library Hub.

The inspection identified a number of improvement actions, all of which are already being worked on. These related to procedures and facilities rather than any immediate risk to customer safety. The Environmental Health Officer confirmed there was no immediate risk, so the service did not need to close.

The improvement actions identified for Elmbridge Borough Council to remedy are: 

• full implementation of food safety management system (within one month). Our team was actively updating the manual during the inspection and this work is continuing.
• improved date labelling and sealing of open food packets, which is now an ongoing focus.
• refresher food hygiene training for all food handlers, with an online Level 2 Food Hygiene in Catering course recommended and being arranged.

The improvement actions identified for Surrey County Council with support from Elmbridge Borough Council to remedy are:

• installation of a dedicated wash hand basin in the kitchen with hot and cold running water (to be completed within the next couple of weeks).
• improvements to kitchen ventilation (to be completed within two months). In the short term, we are also reviewing our menu to reduce the number of items requiring reheating, which will help manage kitchen temperatures until a permanent solution is in place.

We are confident that the steps we are taking will lead to a significantly improved rating at our next inspection. We apologise that our standards did not meet expectations on this occasion and thank our clients for their patience and continued support as we strengthen our processes.

Question and answers

Why did Elmbridge Community Services receive a 1/5 food hygiene rating?
The rating was issued following a routine inspection that identified several procedural and facilities related improvements that need to be completed. These issues did not relate to any immediate risk to customers, but they did mean that our overall standards fell below the level expected at the time of inspection.

Was there an imminent risk to customers?
No. The Environmental Health Officer confirmed that the imminent risk criteria was not met. This means there was no requirement for voluntary or formal closure.

What improvements were identified?
The inspection highlighted the following actions:

• Installing a dedicated wash hand basin with hot and cold running water in the kitchen.
• Improving kitchen ventilation, alongside a review of our menu to reduce items requiring reheating in a small space.
• Fully implementing our food safety management system, which was already being updated by the team at the time of inspection.
• Strengthening date labelling and sealing of opened food items.
• Ensuring all food handlers complete refresher food hygiene training (Level 2 Food Hygiene in Catering).

Are these improvements already underway?
Yes. All actions have clear timescales and are either already completed or in progress. Our team was actively working on updates during the inspection, and this work has continued as a priority.

Why wasn’t the service closed?
The Environmental Health Officer confirmed that the issues identified did not pose an imminent risk, so closure was not necessary. The focus was on making improvements within agreed timescales rather than stopping service delivery.

When will the food hygiene rating improve?
Once all required improvements are fully in place, we will be eligible for a re‑inspection. We are confident that the actions being taken will lead to a significantly improved rating.

How are staff being supported to improve standards?
All food handlers are completing refresher food hygiene training, and systems are being strengthened to ensure consistent standards are maintained going forward.

Will the room still be available to hire with use of the kitchen?
Yes it will still be available for hire.

Is the kitchen safe for use for hirers of the room?
It is safe and hygienic for hirers of the hall to prepare food within the kitchen for their own use, not for resale.