Felixstowe's Boardwalk Cafe & Bar is part of a new campaign encouraging people to look out for the Food Hygiene Rating sticker if they're planning that special meal out with family, friends or colleagues in the lead up to Christmas.

The popular venue on Felixstowe Pier has a coveted five-star rating which East Suffolk Council highlighting as its guaranteed mark of food hygiene in the Boardwalk bar and cafe.

The council is launching a new campaign across its social media channels to remind residents and visitors to check the food hygiene rating of a food business before booking to avoid disappointment this Christmas.

The Food Hygiene Rating scheme gives information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels and other food businesses, making it easier for people to choose where to eat or buy their food.

Food businesses are given a hygiene rating when it is inspected by an Environmental Health Officer from the Council, to show how closely the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law.

Cllr Mary Rudd, cabinet member for Community Health, said: "With the festive season coming up, many people are planning gatherings with family, friends or work colleagues at local restaurants, pubs and hotels, and we would encourage them to not only check the menu before booking, but also the food hygiene rating.

"The Food Hygiene Rating scheme has been designed to help residents and visitors in East Suffolk decide where to eat and buy food by providing information on the hygiene standards of a food business. It also recognises those businesses with the highest standards and encourages others to improve.

"The rating can easily be checked online in advance or look out for the distinctive green and black sticker that food businesses are encouraged to display on their premises. This is an important time for businesses and a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. If this isn't on display, we would urge people to ask a business if they have been rated and what score they've received.

"So, no matter where you eat, you can make sure it has been prepared to good hygienic standards and isn't likely to give you an upset stomach or much worse! It is really quick and easy to check, and it could save you from having a miserable Christmas."

The Food Safety Team has awarded food hygiene ratings between 0 - 5 to more than 2,200 local food businesses to ensure it is safe for residents and visitors and to help businesses improve, with 5 being very good and 0 meaning urgent improvements are necessary.

Over 98% of food businesses rated in East Suffolk have a Food Safety Rating of 3 or better, meaning there are plenty of great places to choose from when it comes to deciding where to eat or buy your festive foods – just make sure to check first.

Check a food rating online or see more information about the the Food Hygiene Rating scheme.