Water Lane Store food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · New Forest
Water Lane Store holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the shop met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 3 February 2026, 5 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 12A Water Lane, Totton, Southampton, SO40 3DP
How it compares in New Forest
That puts Water Lane Store among the 1,153 places in New Forest holding top marks, 80% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,153 | 80% | ← Water Lane Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 183 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 69 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 23 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 138 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Water Lane Store none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Water Lane Store, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsabelcake Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 17 July 2024 |
| Americano Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 84 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 May 2026 |
| Domino's Pizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | 101 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 May 2025 |
| Asda Express PFS Totton Retailers - other | 131 yards away | 5 - Very good | 26 October 2024 |
| Fun Box Day Nursery Caring Premises | 149 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 November 2018 |
| Arrosto DI Caffe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 211 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 November 2024 |
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 216 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 December 2025 |
| Cats Protection - Southampton Branch Charity Shop Retailers - other | 243 yards away | 5 - Very good | 10 February 2026 |
Questions about Water Lane Store
What is Water Lane Store's food hygiene rating?
Water Lane Store has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by New Forest Council on 3 February 2026.
Is Water Lane Store safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this shop to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Water Lane Store last inspected?
Water Lane Store was last inspected on 3 February 2026, 5 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by New Forest Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Water Lane Store?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Water Lane Store compare to other places in New Forest?
80% of the 1,435 rated food businesses in New Forest hold the top rating of 5, and Water Lane Store is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
New Forest Council inspects Water Lane Store and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Water Lane Store and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Water Lane Store is one of 133 rated food businesses in Totton. See every hygiene rating in Totton →
New Forest inspects and rates 1,573 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in New Forest →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.newforest.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →