Since the scheme went live last Monday (October 1) there have been more than 33,000 hits on Brighton & Hove City Council’s website to check out the hygiene scores for local eateries.

In the first five days alone there were 27,000 hits – averaging 5,400 a day, making Scores on the Doors the second most visited page on the website. (The city’s events diary was the first).

Scores on the Doors was launched by the city council’s Food Safety Team to enable people to make informed choices about where to eat.

More than 1,000 food outlets in the city, including restaurants, hotels, cafes, and sandwich bars, are listed on the website www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/foodsafety and rated from 0 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of Brighton & Hove City Council’s environment committee, said, “We are delighted Scores on the Doors is proving so popular.

“We thought people would find it useful and welcome the chance to check out standards behind the scenes, and the website figures show this is clearly the case.”

He added: “We have also had positive feedback from people in the catering industry who are pleased to see the hard work that goes into achieving high standards being publicly recognised.”

Five star premises range from the Gala Bingo Hall in Freshfield Way to English’s Oyster Bar and seafood restaurant in East Street.

Scores are based on hygiene processes; the cleanliness and layout of kitchens and food storage and preparation areas; and food safety management. Certificates and stickers are sent out to food businesses so that they can display their ratings.