Restaurants in Bexley now have the chance of a repeat visit by inspectors if they are given a poor hygiene rating, rather than waiting up to six months for another inspection.

The offer has been taken up by 22 businesses since April and means inspectors can visit again within six weeks of an initial inspection.

Peter Craske, Council member for community safety, environment and leisure, said: “We want to make sure our residents are able to enjoy local places to eat and drink safe in the knowledge that they have a good food hygiene rating.

Food hygiene inspectors found flies in the kitchen at Kings Flavour Bexleyheath fast food restaurant

“Bexley is one of the safest places to eat in London, with a large percentage of high food hygiene ratings, but there is always more that can be done.

“Now, if a business receives a low score but wants to make the changes needed to improve, they can do so quickly rather than wait. Our ideal is to have all our businesses receive that high score in the first visit – but realistically we know that this isn’t always going to happen.

Meat with no name or date and flies were found when inspectors visited BBQ Xpress in Welling

“At Bexley we can offer support, training and a quick return visit once the necessary changes have been made.”

The cost of re-inspection is the lowest of any London Borough at £140.

Bexley visits over 900 food establishments every year.