The Chequers

The Chequers is a restaurant/cafe/canteen located at Chequers Inn, The Street, Great Tey, Essex, CO6 1JS, in the Colchester local authority area. Following its most recent inspection on 6 February 2026, it received a food hygiene rating of 3 (Generally Satisfactory). The inspection assessed three categories: hygienic food handling (scored 10 — good), structural compliance (scored 10 — good), and confidence in management (scored 10 — good). In the FHRS scoring system, lower numbers indicate better performance, with 0 being the best possible score in each category. Colchester oversees 1,648 registered food businesses, of which 79% hold a rating of Good (4) or Very Good (5). The average food hygiene rating in Colchester is 4.8 out of 5. As a restaurant or cafe, this business is assessed on how food is prepared and cooked on the premises, the cleanliness of the kitchen and dining areas, and whether staff follow proper hand-washing and cross-contamination prevention procedures. Food businesses in the UK are inspected by local authority environmental health officers. The frequency of inspections depends on the risk category — higher-risk businesses are inspected more frequently, typically every 6 to 12 months, while lower-risk establishments may be inspected every 2 to 3 years. The rating has changed from 5 to 3 since 29 February 2024. Businesses that are not satisfied with their rating can request a re-inspection from their local authority or apply for a right to reply, which is published alongside the rating on the FSA website.