Morrisons has worked to resolve issues at its Weybridge supermarket, after health inspectors slapped the store with a food safety hygiene score of zero.
Elmbridge Borough Council began investigating the Surrey store in May, after a visit found “urgent improvement” was necessary.
Food safety officers were particularly concerned with the handling, preparation and storage of food, as well as the cleanliness and condition of the store’s hand-washing and pest control facilities.
The report also deemed that “major improvement” was needed in the food safety checks and processes carried out by the store. Council officers have since been working with Morrisons to improve standards and continue to monitor the store’s progress.
It sparks fresh fears over the ability of supermarkets to provide safe places to eat, amid a wider proposed shake-up of food safety regulation by the Food Standards Agency, which seeks to base scores on a supermarket’s own data, rather than rely on visits by health inspectors.
An investigation by The Grocer in August 2025 revealed that 85 supermarkets nationwide had failed their most recent food hygiene safety inspections.
Six stores received the lowest possible score of zero, including branches of Morrisons, Tesco and Iceland. Overall, 31 Morrisons stores scored a two or lower. Several supermarkets, most notably Asda, have also been fined over recent years for selling out-of-date food.
Under the current FHRS systems stores are typically checked every two years, although some deemed as low risk may not be inspected for longer than two years. They are given a rating of between zero – the lowest – and five, which means hygiene standards are very good, based on the visit.
In August 2024, the FSA proposed switching to a National Level Regulation System, under which retailers would submit their own food safety data to a central body.
It aimed to free up cash-strapped local authorities, enabling their dwindling number of food inspectors to focus their resources on smaller rogue operators. However, the plans received frosty reception from food safety campaigners, who argued that it would effectively give retailers control over the ‘Scores On The Doors’ system.
The FSA was forced to pause parts of the plan, but is consulting on how the new regime could be rolled out.
Morrisons ‘working’ to resolve food safety issues
Morrisons acknowledged there had been “issues” at its Weybridge store, and had been engaging with council officers.
“As soon as we were made aware of the rating, we took immediate action to address and resolve the issues raised,” a Morrisons spokeswoman told The Grocer.
“We have also been working alongside the local authority, who are happy with improvements that we have made.”
An Elmbridge Borough Council spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with Morrisons in Weybridge to support improvements to its food hygiene rating, as we would with any business in Elmbridge.
“Our Environmental Health team regularly provides advice and guidance to local businesses to help them meet the required standards, and we will continue to work constructively with Morrisons as they progress their improvement plans.”
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