Bromley Council is set to significantly increase its commitment to food safety, with a 24% rise in food hygiene inspections planned for the 2025-26 period.
The decision, outlined in the Bromley's Food Safety Service Plan 2025 – 2026 discussed at the Public Protection and Enforcement Policy Development & Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday 10 September 2025, aims to ensure the highest standards of food safety across the borough's food businesses. The council also aims to offer advice and practical support to food businesses, helping them meet their legal obligations and improve food safety practices, fostering business success and public trust.
The council is required by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to publish a Food Safety Plan at regular intervals. The plan requires member or appropriately authorised senior management approval.
The increase in inspections comes as the number of registered food businesses in Bromley has declined from 2,862 in the previous year to 2,702 as of 1st April 2025. According to the Public reports pack, this decrease is as a result or the team's successful clearance during 2024-25 of the backlog of unrated premises no longer trading since the pandemic.
Despite the decrease in businesses, the council is committed to maintaining a robust inspection schedule. A total of 1,033 food hygiene inspections are scheduled for 2025–26, up from the 830 inspections conducted in the previous year.
Bromley anticipates that the increased inspection rate will improve food hygiene ratings across the borough. The Food Safety Service Plan 2025-2026 projects an increase in the number of businesses with a rating of 5 (Very good) from 1676 to 1923 by the end of 2025-26.
Overdue inspections for existing businesses have been significantly reduced, falling from 244 at the beginning of 2024-25 to just 72 by 1st of April 2025.
The provision of advice and guidance to secure compliance with food law is an integral part of the work conducted by the service and advice will continue to be offered during inspections and revisits. There are also extensive food safety resources available for new and existing businesses on the food safety pages on the council's website.
