Low Slow and Dough food hygiene rating
Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Wirral
Low Slow and Dough holds a 1: major improvement is necessary. The inspector found significant problems at the restaurant and the business is legally required to address them.
The rating: 1 - Major improvement necessary
The rating dates from 19 March 2026, 3 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 1A Claughton Firs, Oxton, CH43 5TG
How it compares in Wirral
A 1 is rare: only 27 of 2,208 rated places in Wirral score this low, about one in 82. By contrast 72% of the borough holds a 5, so this is well below what the council's inspectors normally find.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,596 | 72% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 367 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 177 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 36 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 27 | 1% | ← Low Slow and Dough | |
| 0 out of 5 | 5 | <1% |
A further 113 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Improvement necessary
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Improvement necessary
- How well they manage food safety Major improvement necessary
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Low Slow and Dough the inspector recorded concerns over how food is handled, the condition of the premises and confidence in management. Because the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, that is what holds the score down.
What the business says
<p class="p1" style="margin:0cm"> <span class="s2">We acknowledge the findings of the inspection carried out on 19 March 2026 and accept that, at the time of the visit, certain aspects of our operation fell below the standards we expect.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">At the time of inspection, the business was operating during a short period of reduced senior management oversight, with the absence of our Head Chef and reliance on agency and junior staff contributing to lapses in routine monitoring and documentation. This was a temporary breakdown in management control and not reflective of our normal operating standards.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We note the report confirms that pest evidence identified was historic (old and dry), confined to a storage area, with no evidence of contamination to food or preparation areas and no imminent risk to public health.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We also confirm there has never been any recorded incident of food-related illness</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">associated with our business.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We accept that documentation, cleaning consistency, and food management systems were not applied as required. These issues reflect a failure of supervision and execution rather than a lack of food safety understanding or intent.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">Since the inspection, we have implemented immediate corrective actions including reinstatement of senior management oversight, a simplified and enforceable food safety system, comprehensive deep cleaning, strengthened pest control procedures, staff retraining, and the introduction of daily compliance checks with clear accountability.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We are confident that these actions represent a substantial improvement and we welcome the planned revisit to demonstrate sustained compliance.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-opt
Businesses have a right to reply to their rating. This response is published by the Food Standards Agency alongside the score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Low Slow and Dough, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn House Residential Home Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 March 2026 |
| Birkenhead High School Academy School/college/university | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 March 2024 |
| Birkenhead Lawn Tennis Club Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 January 2023 |
| Benricks Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 23 January 2025 |
| Bar 361 Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 June 2021 |
| Birkenhead Park Cricket Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 December 2021 |
| Aldi Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 17 April 2025 |
| Age UK Wirral Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 March 2026 |
Questions about Low Slow and Dough
What is Low Slow and Dough's food hygiene rating?
Low Slow and Dough has a food hygiene rating of 1 out of 5 (major improvement necessary), given by Wirral Council on 19 March 2026.
Is Low Slow and Dough safe to eat at?
A 1 means the inspector found problems the business is required to fix. The restaurant is not shut down, a rating is not a closure order, but standards were found to be below what the law expects at the time of inspection.
When was Low Slow and Dough last inspected?
Low Slow and Dough was last inspected on 19 March 2026, 3 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Wirral Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Low Slow and Dough?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "improvement necessary", the cleanliness and condition of the building "improvement necessary", and confidence in the management of food safety "major improvement necessary". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Low Slow and Dough compare to other places in Wirral?
72% of the 2,208 rated food businesses in Wirral hold the top rating of 5, while Low Slow and Dough holds a 1. 27 places in the area share that rating.
Has Low Slow and Dough responded to its rating?
Yes. Businesses have a right to reply, published alongside the rating. Low Slow and Dough said: “<p class="p1" style="margin:0cm"> <span class="s2">We acknowledge the findings of the inspection carried out on 19 March 2026 and accept that, at the time of the visit, certain aspects of our operation fell below the standards we expect.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">At the time of inspection, the business was operating during a short period of reduced senior management oversight, with the absence of our Head Chef and reliance on agency and junior staff contributing to lapses in routine monitoring and documentation. This was a temporary breakdown in management control and not reflective of our normal operating standards.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We note the report confirms that pest evidence identified was historic (old and dry), confined to a storage area, with no evidence of contamination to food or preparation areas and no imminent risk to public health.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We also confirm there has never been any recorded incident of food-related illness</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">associated with our business.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We accept that documentation, cleaning consistency, and food management systems were not applied as required. These issues reflect a failure of supervision and execution rather than a lack of food safety understanding or intent.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">Since the inspection, we have implemented immediate corrective actions including reinstatement of senior management oversight, a simplified and enforceable food safety system, comprehensive deep cleaning, strengthened pest control procedures, staff retraining, and the introduction of daily compliance checks with clear accountability.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; text-size-adjust: auto;"> <span class="s2">We are confident that these actions represent a substantial improvement and we welcome the planned revisit to demonstrate sustained compliance.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="p1" style="margin: 0cm; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-opt”
Who decides the rating?
Wirral Council inspects Low Slow and Dough and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Low Slow and Dough and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Is this your business?
A rating of 1 is public, and most customers look. Only 18% of people say they would order from a business rated 2 or below, against 94% from one rated 4. Delivery platforms may decline to list you.
We cannot change this rating, and nor can you. It was set by an environmental health officer at Wirral, and it stands until they inspect again. What you can do:
- Fix what the inspector found, then ask the council for a re-inspection. Most charge between £120 and £316, and will not re-visit within three months of the original inspection.
- If you believe the rating is simply wrong, you have 21 days from being notified to appeal to the council. That is 21 calendar days, not working days.
- You may submit a right to reply at any time. It is published alongside the rating, here, and on the FSA's own site.
What a low rating means → · How re-inspections and appeals work →
Your council: Wirral
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Low Slow and Dough is one of 77 rated food businesses in Oxton. See every hygiene rating in Oxton →
Wirral inspects and rates 2,321 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Wirral →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.wirral.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →