Quality Mark

How does the Quality Mark work?

The cost of participation for 2008/9 is £87.50 including VAT.  Once the eatery signs up, Quality in Tourism is notified to carry out an assessment.  The assessor undertakes a ‘mystery shop’ type assessment, usually within 6-8 weeks of application.

The assessor then scores the establishment using the same set of criteria, looking at:

• Exterior and public areas
• Cleanliness
• Bar and restaurant
• Hospitality
• Service and efficiency
• Food and use of local produce.

NB. Each type of eatery has slightly different criteria – so a café which won’t have a bar area or an establishment that does not have an entrance hall will not be downgraded.

The assessment has an emphasis on quality and presentation of food, genuine enthusiastic service, attention to detail, high standards of cleanliness and the provision and marketing of local produce.

The scheme is heavily subsided by LBTB.  Each assessment costs LBTB £87.50.  LBTB pay for the cost of the plaque, certificate, and action plan.  Participants will receive £87.50 worth of LBTB vouchers and will recoup some of the cost of participation back when the assessor pays for their meal during assessment.

At the end of the mystery visit the assessor will identify themselves to the manager and, if it is convenient, go through the assessment and inform them of the results.  A full feedback report will then follow the visit and, if successful, a plaque and certificate will be awarded.  If the establishment does not pass, they are offered assistance through LBTB.  LBTB will produce an action plan of how they can rectify some of the points they scored poorly on and continually develop the quality of their product.  They are then offered a one to one visit or, if preferred, a telephone call to go through the action plan in more detail.

The awards

Highest Quality Assured - This is awarded when an establishment achieves a score of 80% or above.

Quality Assured – This is awarded when the establishment achieves a score of 60% - 79%.

Made in Lancashire Award – this element is assessed and awarded separately, and is given to establishments who score 40% or above on the provision of local produce section of the assessment.  A separate plaque is awarded and the establishment automatically receives free membership of Made in Lancashire.

Benefits of participation

Each successful establishment receives:

• A plaque for display outside their establishment
• A certificate for display inside their establishment
• Logo bromides for use in marketing activities
• An exclusive entry on the ‘Food & Drink’ pages of www.visitlancashire.com and www.tastelancashire.com (Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board does not promote any venue which does not have a quality rating.
• Entry on www.madeinlancs.co.uk
• The opportunity to feature at food events supported by LBTB/MiL
• Opportunity for enhanced entry in LBTB marketing campaigns
• Initial participants (2008/9 fee £87.50) will receive a discount voucher towards the cost of a range of LBTB services
• Recognition through LBTB and MiL PR activities
• Free membership of Made in Lancashire.