Central Food food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · West Northamptonshire
Central Food holds a 4, meaning hygiene standards at the shop are good. It is a solid result, the inspector found nothing serious, though a 5 was just out of reach.
The rating: 4 - Good
The rating dates from 4 May 2023, more than 3 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: 73 Spencer Bridge Road, St James, Northampton, NN5 7DP
How it compares in West Northamptonshire
In West Northamptonshire, 78% of rated places manage a 5, so Central Food sits behind roughly 2,565 nearby businesses. 12% of the borough shares its 4.
| 5 out of 5 | 2,565 | 78% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 378 | 12% | ← Central Food | |
| 3 out of 5 | 251 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 39 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 43 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 9 | <1% |
A further 772 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 Generally satisfactory
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 Central Food 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 Central Food, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett's Bespoke Bakes Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 70 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 February 2021 |
| ABM Catering Ltd School/college/university | 302 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 September 2019 |
| Bite Me Spices Manufacturers/packers | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 31 May 2022 |
| Ambush Street Mini Market Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 23 October 2025 |
| Best One News Agent Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 30 November 2022 |
| BaxterStorey -Church’s Footwear Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 31 March 2026 |
| Ambe Supermarket Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 October 2025 |
| Accomplish Group Caring Premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 January 2026 |
Questions about Central Food
What is Central Food's food hygiene rating?
Central Food has a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5 (good), given by West Northamptonshire Council on 4 May 2023.
Is Central Food safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 4 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this shop to be good, the top end of the scale.
When was Central Food last inspected?
Central Food was last inspected on 4 May 2023, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Northamptonshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Central Food?
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 "generally satisfactory". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Central Food compare to other places in West Northamptonshire?
78% of the 3,285 rated food businesses in West Northamptonshire hold the top rating of 5, while Central Food holds a 4. 378 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
West Northamptonshire Council inspects Central Food 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 Central Food and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Central Food is one of 1,617 rated food businesses in Northampton. See every hygiene rating in Northampton →
West Northamptonshire inspects and rates 4,057 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Northamptonshire →
The official record is held by the council: https://www.westnorthants.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 →