The Old Hop Pole food hygiene rating
Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Sandwell
The Old Hop Pole holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the restaurant met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 13 September 2019, more than 6 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: Old Hop Pole 474 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD
How it compares in Sandwell
That puts The Old Hop Pole among the 1,561 places in Sandwell holding top marks, 66% 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 | 1,561 | 66% | ← The Old Hop Pole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 513 | 22% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 168 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 41 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 56 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 11 | <1% |
A further 326 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 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 The Old Hop Pole 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 The Old Hop Pole, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café @ Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form’s Sandwell Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Centre Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 18 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 March 2026 |
| Basia Mart Retailers - other | 40 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 February 2026 |
| Aldi Food Stores Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2020 |
| Bibiana Conference Hall Other catering premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 September 2025 |
| Autumn Lodge Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 July 2025 |
| Angels Gentlemens Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 January 2020 |
| B&M Retail Ltd Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 March 2024 |
| A Place to Taste Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 July 2025 |
Questions about The Old Hop Pole
What is The Old Hop Pole's food hygiene rating?
The Old Hop Pole has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Sandwell Council on 13 September 2019.
Is The Old Hop Pole 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 restaurant to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Old Hop Pole last inspected?
The Old Hop Pole was last inspected on 13 September 2019, more than 6 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Sandwell Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Old Hop Pole?
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 "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Old Hop Pole compare to other places in Sandwell?
66% of the 2,350 rated food businesses in Sandwell hold the top rating of 5, and The Old Hop Pole is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Sandwell Council inspects The Old Hop Pole 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 The Old Hop Pole and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Old Hop Pole is one of 512 rated food businesses in West Bromwich. See every hygiene rating in West Bromwich →
Sandwell inspects and rates 2,676 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Sandwell →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/foodratings
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 →