South Lanarkshire Council

The cafe scooped the Food Standards Agency's 'Eat Safe' food hygiene award following a recommendation by the council's Environmental Health team which monitors and inspects catering establishments to ensure they are safe and hygienic for the public to dine in.

Colin McWilliams, the venue manager at Rutherglen Town Hall, said: "Food hygiene has always been our number one priority and to be recognised for excellent standards is testament to the hard work and diligence that goes on behind the scenes every day. Catering manager Pauline Docherty is responsible for the day to day running of our catering operation and she and our excellent staff have exceptional standards in everything they do."

The awards scheme was launched a few years ago by the Food Standards Agency to improve public confidence and consumer choice in catering establishments throughout Scotland and 20 premises in South Lanarkshire have now been awarded.

The awards are granted to commercial kitchens - whether a snack bar or a major hotel - which prepares food in conditions which exceed those required by legislation. As well as providing an incentive for caterers to strive for excellence it also helps consumers make informed choices about where to eat out by providing a recognisable 'sign' of food hygiene standards.

Councillor Hamish Stewart, the depute chair of the council's Community Resources Committee, said: "Our Environmental Health team were delighted to nominate Rutherglen Town Hall Cafe for this award as it operates at the level we would ideally like all commercial food premises in South Lanarkshire to achieve.

"All are to be congratulated for their hard work and effort put in to achieving this award."

The cafe is open daily from 9am - 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and provides light meals, snacks and drinks. The town hall also has pre-theatre meals and can cater for conference and banqueting events including civic receptions, weddings and meetings.