Lifestyle Express food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Darlington
Lifestyle Express 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 27 November 2023, more than 2 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: 173 North Road, Darlington, DL1 2PT
How it compares in Darlington
That puts Lifestyle Express among the 755 places in Darlington holding top marks, 90% 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 | 755 | 90% | ← Lifestyle Express | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 48 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 19 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 79 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling 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 Lifestyle Express 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 Lifestyle Express, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Road Post Office Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 February 2023 |
| Clare's Cakery Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 February 2024 |
| Cadmen Stores Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 July 2022 |
| Aldi Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 November 2025 |
| Builders Arms Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 April 2026 |
| Asha News Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 23 February 2026 |
| Brinkburn Pizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 February 2026 |
| Albert Hill Club & Institute Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 February 2026 |
Questions about Lifestyle Express
What is Lifestyle Express's food hygiene rating?
Lifestyle Express has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Darlington Council on 27 November 2023.
Is Lifestyle Express 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 Lifestyle Express last inspected?
Lifestyle Express was last inspected on 27 November 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Darlington Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Lifestyle Express?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 Lifestyle Express compare to other places in Darlington?
90% of the 836 rated food businesses in Darlington hold the top rating of 5, and Lifestyle Express is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Darlington Council inspects Lifestyle Express 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 Lifestyle Express and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Darlington inspects and rates 915 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Darlington →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.darlington.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 →