A Day on the Road: PAT Testing Across Kent
Portable appliance testing equipment set up on the chef’s table at Tallow restaurant in Southborough, carrying out professional PAT testing to ensure all kitchen and restaurant electrical appliances are safe and compliant.
09:00 – Preparing for the Day (Tonbridge)
The day started in Tonbridge by preparing the PAT tester, inspection labels, and paperwork. The tester was pre-loaded with the correct date and the estimated number of appliances scheduled for testing. With morning traffic often busy when leaving Tonbridge, we set off early to ensure we arrived relaxed and on time for our first Portable Appliance Testing job.
10:00 – PAT Testing at Tallow Restaurant, Southborough
Our first stop was the beautiful restaurant Tallow in Southborough, located on Church Road overlooking the village green and St Peter’s Church. Arriving early gave time to admire the menu in the window — a place we’ll definitely be returning to as customers.
After a warm welcome (and a much-appreciated coffee), we carried out full PAT Testing on the site. Exactly 50 appliances were tested, all of which passed and were in excellent condition. The interior design of the restaurant was stunning, and the chef’s table area was a particular highlight — a perfect setting for professional PAT Testing in a high-end hospitality environment.
Greys Café – On-Site PAT Testing
While on site, we were also asked to carry out PAT Testing for Greys Café. Over 50 appliances were tested, with only two minor failures involving damaged extension leads. Everything else passed, and the overall standard of equipment maintenance was excellent. This visit highlighted the importance of PAT Testing for cafés and food premises, where high-powered appliances are in constant use.
17:00 – Reports & Certification
After completing all on-site testing, it was back to the office to download results, generate compliance reports, and prepare certificates — concluding a full day of PAT Testing across Tonbridge, Southborough, and Brenchley.
Another productive day keeping local businesses, community venues, and hospitality premises safe, compliant, and fully protected through professional Portable Appliance Testing in Kent.This visit demonstrated the importance of regular PAT Testing for restaurants in Southborough, where electrical safety is essential for both staff and customers.
PAT testing pass labels and inspection stickers laid out ready for application to electrical equipment at Brenchley Memorial Hall, following a full portable appliance testing inspection of the meeting room and hall facilities.
11:00 – On the Road to Brenchley
Leaving Southborough, we headed towards our second job of the day for PAT Testing in Brenchley. Arriving slightly ahead of schedule, we used the time to download the test results and begin preparing the compliance report.
12:00 – PAT Testing at Brenchley Memorial Hall
At Brenchley Memorial Hall, we were greeted by Lynne and Malcolm, who had kindly prepared all the electrical equipment in advance. Items were neatly lined up on the stage, making the Portable Appliance Testing process smooth and efficient.
All appliances passed, although one extension lead had a loose earth connection inside the plug top highlighting why visual inspections and internal plug checks are a vital part of professional PAT Testing. Loose earth connections can lead to dangerous faults if left unnoticed. We then moved into the meeting room, where equipment was again perfectly laid out along the central table a setup any PAT tester would be pleased to see.
By 13:00, another 50 items had been safely tested and labelled, reinforcing the value of routine PAT Testing for community halls in Brenchley and across Kent.It truly turned into a “day of 50s” 50 at the restaurant, 50 at the hall, and just over 50 in the café… and by the end of the day I definitely felt like I had the back and knees of a 50-year-old too!
