ALTRINCHAM Market is a hugely popular hub of independent food stalls attracting foodies from across the region.

The market was taken on by Jenny and Nick Thompson, five years ago and the pair have since opened sister markets Mackie Mayor in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and most recently the Picturedrome in Macclesfield.

But what are Altrincham Market’s food hygiene ratings?

The good news is 13 out of the 26 stalls at the market are currently rated four or five out of five on the food standards agency website.

But three stalls are rated either two or one out of five by inspectors.

Nick Thompson said the need to balance the character of their listed building with meeting modern food hygiene standards involves a level of compromise; something he said is easier for some traders than others.

Here are all of the food standards agency hygiene ratings for the 26 Altrincham Market outlets.

Five stars (very good):

C Warren, inspected April 19 2006

Malik Food, inspected March 29 2016

Market House Coffee, inspected May 1 2015

R Hughes Butchers, inspected December 19 2017

Reserve Wines, inspected April 30 2015

Four stars (good):

A&J Edwards Butchers, inspected December 20 2017

Abbeyleys Farm, inspected September 7 2018

Honest Crust, inspected February 16 2018

Jack in Box, inspected October 13 2017

Little Window, inspected February 16 2018

Sam Joseph, inspected March 15 2019

Tender Cow, inspected March 29 2018

Whites Greengrocers, inspected March 31 2006

Three stars (generally satisfactory):

The Great North Pie Company Ltd, inspected August 9 2019

Wolfhouse Kitchen, inspected March 15 2019

Two stars (improvement necessary):

C Peake (Brookes), inspected May 14 2019

Inspectors said improvement was necessary in the stall’s “hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage”.

A spokesperson for C Peake Brookes said, following their inspection new fridges and a new shelving unit have been installed.

They also told us the food inspection officer who gave the rating regularly shops at the stall.

Lovingly Artisan, inspected January 30 2018

Inspectors said improvement was necessary in the condition and facilities of the building, including hand washing facilities.

Lovingly Artisan was voted Britain best Bakery last year. Representatives explained improvement works on their stall had left them with without a working sink on the day of inspection.

They added they have always eliminated any risk factors like eggs and milk from their baking as they make sour dough with just flour, water and salt.

A spokesperson for Altrincham Market said: “Lovingly Artisan were using the hand washing sink at the neighbouring cheese stall (one metre away) which was the reason for their low scoring. They haven’t been inspected since and the cost of re-inspection is prohibitive. They have a five star rating in their bakery.”

One star (major improvement necessary):

Taylors, inspected June 28 2018

Inspectors said there was “major improvement necessary” in the fishmonger’s management of food safety; in other words the checks in place to ensure food sold or served is safe to eat and staff know about food safety.

A spokesperson for Taylors said the greenhouse-like conditions in the covered market made it difficult to control temperatures on the day of inspection, which they said was “one of the hottest days of the year”.

New £20,000 counters have been installed to control temperatures.

The Altrincham Market representative said: “Taylor’s Fishmongers have traded at Altrincham market for two generations.

“Taylor’s previously held a five-star rating until a visit this summer on one of the hottest days of the year, which were challenging trading conditions for all traders.”

Awaiting inspection:

The Sardinistas has not yet been inspected by food hygiene officers.

Exempt:

Spanish Cupboard Ltd

Savages Mussels

Mo Vegan and Gluten Free Bakery

Ginger Bakers

Fold Crepes and Galettes

Bohea Teas

G&J Donuts

Trafford Council explained these seven stalls are exempt because they are currently “under review” and will be getting ratings imminently.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “The health and safety of the public are the top priority for our environmental health teams and we always seek to ensure customers are protected.

“The food hygiene exemptions for the stalls are currently under review as part of our ongoing process to ensure good hygiene standards are being maintained.”

They added: “The food hygiene rating scheme enables members of the public to make informed choices and the ratings are issued to food businesses in line with the Food Standards Agency’s standards.

“These standards ensure that officers apply the rating scheme in a fair and consistent manner. Our officers also regularly take part in regular training by the Food Standards Agency to ensure the ratings are consistent and fair.”

They confirmed food businesses can appeal ratings free of charge, or apply for a reassessment of their rating, at a cost of £170.

The spokesperson for Altrincham Market said: “Market house kitchens are all committed to achieving a five [food hygiene] rating. The problem we have is balancing the need to respect the character of a listed building whilst meeting modern requirements in relation to stainless steel walls, level floors etc.

“The view we take is that we get that balance right and if that prevents certain traders scoring a full five then we have to accept that compromise.”

They added that they believe food hygiene ratings are “clearly not a level playing field for all.”