PLaces serving food in Monmouthshire have been rated by the Food Standards Agency, with some scoring higher than others.

Outlets including restaurants, pubs and retirement homes were inspected by a food safety officer, who looked at how hygienically the food was handled, the condition of the structure of the buildings and how the business managed and recorded what it does to make sure food is safe.

Among the high scorers were Chepstow Leisure Centre Playgroup and St Annes Nursing Home, Chepstow, which both took full marks with a score of five.

Mrs K Issac of the playgroup, said: "I am very pleased we passed with flying colours and hope to keep up the good work."

Manager of the nursing home Henry Dzangare said: "I am very happy with the result.

"I have been in charge for a year and have focused on improving the service we provide."

Sunflowers playgroup of Maryport Street, Usk, also scored five.

Gibraltar Care Village (pictured) and The Attik youth centre, both in Monmouth, also scored very well, gaining a total of four.

Wayne Shermon, operations director of PSP Healthcare, owners of the care village, said: "Our village team works exceptionally hard to provide the very best for our residents and their guests.

"At Gibraltar Village, we appointed Grant Bowes as village services manager.

"His background in hotel-style services is paying off as we continue to up the bar in the provision of services to the retired and those needing care."

While all of these outlets sailed through the ratings, unfortunately, not every place made the grade.

Babylon Gardens, Moor Street, Chepstow, was the lowest scoring with a total of zero.

By the Food Standards Agency's guidelines, this suggests that 'urgent improvement is necessary'.

Other places which scored low include the Boat Inn at Penallt and The Hall Inn, Gwehelog, Usk, which both scored one.

Proprietor of The Hall Inn, Stuart Savidge, said: "Obviously it's something we would like to improve on as time goes by.

"Our kitchen door is always open so everyone can see what it's like."

Butchers Le Gourmet of Church Street, Monmouth, also scored one and declined to comment.

Babylon Gardens and The Boat Inn had not commented by the time of going to press.

For full listings of the results visit

ratings.food.gov.uk