Nina’s Restaurant, next to Bentra Golf Club on Slaughterford Road, received the worst possible score in the star rating scheme adopted, which indicates environmental health officers found “a general failure to comply with legal requirements; little or no appreciation of food safety” on the day of inspection.

The TIMES contacted the proprietor of Nina’s, who claimed to be unaware of the Scores on the Doors system and declined to comment on the restaurant’s rating.

A total of 15 businesses were awarded one star, which indicates “some non compliance” with the legislation: the Royal Dynasty, Castle Diner, Favourite Bar, New Four Seasons, Sun King, McDowell’s Butchers, Planet Bingo, Taylor’s Newsagents, Cod House and Candy Shop in Carrickfergus; the Day Today in Eden; Wilson’s Shop, Cable Service Station and Golden Palace in Whitehead; and Knockagh Lodge in Greenisland.

A total of 23 received two stars, indicating that the premises are “mainly compliant” with legislation, with “an understanding of food safety and standards being maintained or being improved”.

At the top end of the scale, 17 outlets received the maximum five stars. These included school kitchens at Carrick College, Model, Sunnylands, Eden and Whitehead; Tamlaght and Cherry Tree Nursing homes; the Open Door cafe; Fergus and MacNeice Folds; Jolly Tots Day Nursery; Karuna Home; Brewer’s Fayre; Barn Court and Whitehaven Children’s Homes; the Sodexho Canteen at Kilroot Power Station; and Ellis Court Hostel.

Open Door Centre manager Sandra Clarke said the performance of the cafe, which provides low cost meals targeting over 60s, was due to the efforts of her staff, all of whom are volunteers from Carrickfergus Community Church, Loughside Volunteer Centre and Social Services-run organisations.

The Scores on the Doors website, accessible through www.carrickfergus.org, was officially launched at Carrickfergus Town Hall this week. Supported by the Food Standards Agency, a similar system is used by Belfast City, Lisburn City and Banbridge District Councils.

Over 250 premises across the Borough, 166 of which have been given a star rating to date, are inspected by environmental health officers, including restaurants, cafes, bars, takeaways and school kitchens. Star ratings, from no starts to five stars, reflect the premises’ performance in terms on hygiene and building structure, and the attitude of management towards complying with the law.

Seventy per-cent of outlets on the database show a rating of three stars or above (good, very good or excellent), with ten per cent awarded five stars.

Alan Barkley, the Director of Environmental Services, commented: “This information will allow consumers to make an informed decision about where they eat and it has the added benefit of encouraging Carrickfergus restaurants, cafes, shops, pubs to keep food safety high on the menu.