A LANDLORD has hit back at the new star system introduced to rate food hygiene standards in pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

Cliff Soull, who runs The Kings Arms, in Coppice Hill, Bradford on Avon, said West Wiltshire District Council's Scores on Doors scheme would destroy small businesses.

His pub was one of two outlets to be given a zero star rating in the first batch of inspections published online, but Mr Soull thinks this was more to do with paperwork than hygiene.

"We only do a small amount of food and our kitchen is fairly small and can be seen by customers through the hatch," he said.

"If we are bad enough to get zero stars they should have shut us down. We're not 100 per cent innocent but there has to be some balance.

"It seems to me that any small business is at the mercy of the abundance of the legislation they keep plying us with."

Along with other food outlets, Mr Soull was issued with a large folder called Making Food Safely, provided by the Food Standards Agency, which must be filled in every time food is delivered or served.

The inspector who visited the Kings Arms was unhappy that the folder had not been filled in properly when she returned for a second visit.

"In fairness they did come in and explain it thoroughly but surely there's got to be a simpler way for it to be operated," said Mr Soull.

"I thought it was harsh to be pulled up. I admit we did need to shape up a little but I think the folder was the contributory factor.

"They are making running a business more and more complicated. It used to be a case of keeping it clean but now it's like being blackmailed. If we don't do exactly what they say we are crucified."

He also believes the results of inspections should not have been published until at least half of the district's 600 venues had been examined.

"This pub may not be anything like other places which end up with zero stars," he said.

"It really does damage to businesses and gives the council so much power. I think it's unfair. There's got to be a better balance and sympathy with smaller businesses."

John Hanson, landlord at the Three Horseshoes, in Bradford, has also criticised the system and said he was appalled' West Wiltshire District Council had only published star ratings for 25 venues. The council has only published the results of its August inspections on the internet.

Inspections from September are expected to go on the site next month. It could take up to two years for all venues to have their ratings published.

Care homes, works canteens and convenience stores will be included in the scheme, which gives each venue a star rating out of five, with zero stars being the worst possible score. Council spokesman Louise Knox said: "This isn't something we've plucked out of thin air. It is based on a very fair system of criteria set by the Food Standards Agency and is a way of giving people education and choice.

"Food businesses now have to keep a check on food coming in since new legislation came in on January 1 and the onus is on the food business to keep abreast of this legislation. It is about the quality of premises much more than filling in folders."