The pub did have a hygiene rating of five but saw it plunge to two after an inspection on 13 February 2025.
The team at the award-winning pub took “immediate action” following the results and Canterbury City Council, which conducted the inspection, said they had taken the points “very seriously.”
A food safety inspector found while the hygienic food handling and management of food safety were considered “generally satisfactory” there was improvement needed in the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building.
Its report found there was mould on inside of door within the undercounter refrigerator as well as food debris on the inside, sides, bottom of refrigerator.
Food safety
Staff were not carrying out all the controls to protect food from contamination. Its Food Hygiene Solutions HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) food safety records required review while there was structural disrepair along with the fact that not all pest control measures were in place.
The venue has been widely acknowledged as one of the best gastropubs in the UK for several years heading the Top 50 Gastropubs list in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021. This year it was at number 8. The pub has held a Michelin star since 2008.
Brothers Stephen and Phil Harris took over the running of the tenancy from pubco and brewer Shepherd Neame in 1999.
Higher rating
Shepherd Neame director of tenanted pub operations Greg Wallis said: “Our dedicated in-house team work closely with our pub partners to offer support in all areas of their business.
“Following their recent EHO inspection, the team at the Sportsman took immediate action to address all issues identified and have applied for a rescore, which we are confident will see the pub returned to a higher rating in the very near future.”
A spokesman from Canterbury City Council said: “Our experienced environmental health officers are working closely with the management of the Sportsman following the issues raised during their inspection.
“The business took the points our officer made very seriously and we are pleased to say good progress has been made in addressing the concerns.
“The Sportsman has applied for a reinspection and we expect it to improve its score significantly when we visit in the next few weeks.”
Sportsman chef-patron Stephen Harris is a completely self-taught chef and the restaurant’s menu reflects its surrounding geography, history and produce.
