The Scores on the Doors organisation has introduced an ‘Elite’ award to highlight good practice by eateries which achieve three or more five-star ratings in a row.

And Walsall has 14 chip shops and other takeaways which have cooked up consistent high standards to earn the accolade.

At a full Walsall Council meeting this week, bosses called on the Government to make it a requirement for businesses to post their inspection ratings on their front doors to enable customers to distinguish between clean and dirty outlets.

Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, said he wanted to see more food outlets becoming classed as elite.

Paul Hiscoe, founder and managing director of Scores on the Doors, said the Elite award is for specific types of businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are performing well. Scotland has its own Eat Safe award.

He said: “Taking inspiration from the original Danish scheme, we have decided to make a discretionary award to businesses who have demonstrated consistent achievement at the highest level – the Elite award.

“We must stress that in no way should the lack of an Elite award question in any way the compliance of a business who have already achieved the top rating.

“For many it could just mean they haven’t been in business long enough to have had enough inspections since their first registration.

“Even before the pandemic extended inspection visit timescales, the time between visits for many five-star businesses (depending on its size and type) could expected to be up to two years.

“So to build up a record of three consecutive inspections could therefore take at least four years, under the same ownership.”

The 14 ‘Elite’ takeaways in Walsall are:

• Ablewell Fish Bar, Ablewell Street

• Aldridge Chippy 2, Salters Road, Walsall Wood

• Bek’s Fish Bar, Wolverhampton Street, Darlaston

• Broadway Chippy, Hawes Close

• Domino’s Pizza, Lichfield Street

• Domino’s Pizza, Anchor Parade, Aldridge

• KFC, Bloxwich Four Crosses, Leamore Lane

• Lazy Hill Fish Bar, Walsall Wood Road, Aldridge

• Marios Fish Bar, High Street, Brownhills

• Peacock Fish Bar, Peacock Road, Darlaston

• Pizza El Paso, Harden Road, Darlaston

• Ryecroft Fish Bar, Ryecroft Place

• Subway, High Street, Aldridge

• Village Chippy, Lichfield Road, Brownhills

People can find out the hygiene ratings of premises by visiting scoresonthedoors.org.uk.