Winchester Hotel & Spa - Gold Certification
Winchester Hotel and Spa
Worthy Lane,
Winchester SO23 7AB
t: 01962 709988 | e: reception@thewinchesterhotel.co.uk
Business Sector:
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- Hotels
- Restaurant
Venue Classification:
Hotel Group – Axiom
Summary of certification awarded
Gold Certification
We are delighted to confirm that The Winchester Hotel & Spa has been awarded the Food allergy Aware Gold Certification, valid from 5th September 2025 to 4th September 2026.
This prestigious award recognises the venue’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for Food Hypersensitive (FHS) customers.
By achieving Gold Certification, the venue has demonstrated excellence in allergen management, ensuring that guests with allergies and intolerances can dine with confidence.
We asked Matt Richbell GM for the Winchester Hotel & Spa “What does achieving Gold Certification say about the Winchester Hotel & Spa?”
“From the business perspective, it highlights that our offering is both versatile and adaptable, but also that we are accommodating. We are eager to ensure that we can offer tasty and affordable options for our guests and in having this certification, it shows that we have the offering to cater for all, but also that we can do so safely for our diners to feel comfortable and reassured”
Food Allergy Aware Gold Certification Standards
In addition to all the Bronze and Silver requirements, the venue amazing team have successfully demonstrated the following:
✅ A robust allergen policy in place
✅ Control and monitoring of allergen contamination from supplier level through to meal service
✅ Written SOPs for preparing and serving free-from meals
✅ A strong range of allergen-free menu options (50–60% across starters, mains, and desserts)
✅ Staff trained and ready to assist FHS guests
✅ Evidence of managing allergens beyond the 14 legally recognised allergens
✅ Access to an allergy expert to support complex customer queries
✅ A near-miss reporting system to drive continuous improvement
✅ Management staff trained to Level 3 in allergen awareness
Ongoing Commitment
As part of the certification, a mystery dining visit will take place within the first nine months. The findings from this review will be published on our website, highlighting the continued commitment to best practice.
This certification is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication of the management and service team in making allergen safety their priority.
We are proud to recognise Winchester Hotel & Spa as a leader in allergen management within the hospitality sector.
We look forward to supporting Winchester Hotel & Spa in maintaining and building on their success.
Congratulations once again to Winchester Hotel & Spa on achieving
Gold Level Certification!
Your Feedback Matters!
Feedback is important to us. If you’ve visited one of our certified venues, we’d love to hear about your experience, please feel free to add your comments below and share your positive experiences on review platforms such as TripAdvisor and social media platforms to help others in the Food Hypersensitive (FHS) community.
If you experience any issues during your visit, we recommend raising it with the venue at the time or contacting them as soon as possible afterwards so they have the opportunity to investigate and respond appropriately. You can also contact us directly at admin@fatc.co.uk, and we will review the matter. Feedback responses may come from either the venue or Food Allergy Aware, depending on the situation.
Case study
Coming soon.. Watch this space
Grading in Summary
Bronze: Demonstrates Compliance of allergen awareness and basic procedures in place to support food hypersensitive customers in line with current regulations.
Silver: Shows consistent allergen management practices, staff training, and improved communication across teams. Inclusive menu with options available as appropriate to their business
Gold: Highlights advanced allergen control measures, strong leadership in allergen safety, and proactive customer engagement, with a fully inclusive menu with a high % of choices for the FHS customer.
Platinum: Recognised as the highest level of allergen management certified excellence, showcasing a strong culture of continuous improvement and full inclusivity. This may include segregated kitchens or dedicated areas, and venues offering specific menus tailored to food hypersensitive (FHS) customers, such as gluten-free and/or dairy-free options.
