​Food hygiene ratings are important when looking for a place to eat - whether it's a quick takeaway or a full sit-down meal. 

We have rounded up all of the places in County Durham that have fallen foul of below-one-star hygiene ratings and that have one-star hygiene or less.

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In the region, the vast majority of takeaways and restaurants continue to receive a rating of three or above.

But there are a number that are identified as causes for concern which must either make "urgent" or "major" improvements.

What each hygiene rating means:

0 - Urgent Improvement Necessary
1 - Major Improvement Necessary
2 - Some Improvement Necessary
3 - Hygiene Standards Generally Satisfactory
4 - Hygiene Standards Good
5 - Hygiene Standards Very Good

All ratings are as listed by the FSA on its website at the time of creating this list on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Here are the 22 businesses, takeaways and restaurants that scored a one-star hygiene rating or lower in County Durham:

One star:

  • Albertos, 10a Church Street, Coxhoe, DH6 4DD - Last inspection: 18 July 2023
  • Bowburn Spice, 3b Durham Road West, Bowburn, DH6 5AU - Last inspection: 19 April 2023
  • Dalton Park Inn, Ada Street East, Murton, SR7 9NG - Last inspection: 21 July 2023
  • Fast Fry, 1 Granville Terrace, Wheatley Hill, DH6 3JQ - Last inspection: 3 May 2023
  • Fortune Star, 6 Lombard Place, Great Lumley, DH3 4QP - Last inspection: 22 January 2024
  • Golden Fry, 41 Cotsford Lane, Horden, SR8 4HS - Last inspection: 27 September 2023
  • Horden Social Welfare Centre, Seventh Street, Horden, SR8 4LX - Last inspection: 12 May 2011
  • King Chef, 26 Front Street, Sedgefield, TS21 2AJ - Last inspection: 8 February 2024
  • Little Eden, 98 Edenhill Road, Peterlee, SR8 5DE - Last inspection: 20 September 2023
  • Peterlee Lodge Hotel, Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1BU - Last inspection: 13 December 2022
  • Pizza Napoli, 42 Tweed Road, Spennymoor, DL16 6ST - Last inspection: 24 April 2023
  • Pizzalicious, 5 Darlington Road, Ferryhill, DL17 8JP - Last inspection: 24 January 2024
  • Shildon Express, 22 Main Street, Shildon, DL4 1AH - Last inspection: 3 May 2023
  • The Bakers Deli, 61 North Road East, Wingate, TS28 5AU - Last inspection: 9 November 2023
  • The Forresters Hotel, 52/53 Market Place, Middleton In Teesdale, DL12 0QH - Last inspection: 7 September 2023
  • Valentinos, 162 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7EJ - Last inspection: 4 October 2023
  • Wingate Stores, 76-77 North Road East, Wingate, TS28 5AY - Last inspection: 12 May 2023
  • York Road Fisheries, 50 York Road, Peterlee, SR8 2DP - Last inspection: 31 October 2023
  • Yu Chu, 6 Holm Hill Lane, Easington Colliery, Peterlee, SR8 3NB - Last inspection: 30 January 2024

Zero star:

  • Akshaya Food and Wine Limited, 36 Beaumont Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6BJ - Last inspection: 16 May 2023

  • Eastlea Stores, 2 Enfield Road, Seaham, SR7 8EG - Last inspection: 10 November 2023

  • Pizza Hot, 16 Main Street, Ferryhill, DL17 8LA - Last inspection: 22 January 2024