Cards Direct food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · East Suffolk
Cards Direct 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 5 April 2017, more than 9 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: 103 London Road North, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1LX
How it compares in East Suffolk
That puts Cards Direct among the 1,994 places in East Suffolk holding top marks, 86% 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 | 1,994 | 86% | ← Cards Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 212 | 9% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 71 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 22 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 17 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 202 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 Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very 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 Cards Direct 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 Cards Direct, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| B & M Retail Limited Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 10 July 2023 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 129 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 January 2010 |
| Dolly's Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 130 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 December 2025 |
| Brew & Bites Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 145 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
| Biggs Fish Ltd Mobile caterer | 195 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 March 2025 |
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 248 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
| Amigos Mini Market Retailers - other | 273 yards away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2026 |
| Dolphin Fish Bar Takeaway/sandwich shop | 277 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 January 2026 |
Questions about Cards Direct
What is Cards Direct's food hygiene rating?
Cards Direct has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by East Suffolk Council on 5 April 2017.
Is Cards Direct 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 Cards Direct last inspected?
Cards Direct was last inspected on 5 April 2017, more than 9 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by East Suffolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Cards Direct?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Cards Direct compare to other places in East Suffolk?
86% of the 2,317 rated food businesses in East Suffolk hold the top rating of 5, and Cards Direct is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
East Suffolk Council inspects Cards Direct 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 Cards Direct and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Cards Direct is one of 573 rated food businesses in Lowestoft. See every hygiene rating in Lowestoft →
East Suffolk inspects and rates 2,519 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in East Suffolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eastsuffolk.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 →