J & S Downing food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · West Devon
J & S Downing 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 22 October 2025, 8 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: 18 Fore Street, Bere Alston, PL20 7AD
How it compares in West Devon
In West Devon, 83% of rated places manage a 5, so J & S Downing sits behind roughly 456 nearby businesses. 13% of the borough shares its 4.
| 5 out of 5 | 456 | 83% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 71 | 13% | ← J & S Downing | |
| 3 out of 5 | 15 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 2 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 81 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Generally satisfactory
- 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 J & S Downing 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 J & S Downing, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Bere Alston Retailers - other | 28 yards away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 6 March 2025 |
| Co-op Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 28 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 April 2025 |
| The Edgcumbe Hotel Pub/bar/nightclub | 58 yards away | 4 - Good | 16 March 2026 |
| Bere Peninsula Make Lunch Other catering premises | 85 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 August 2024 |
| Hope Cottage Cafe Other catering premises | 85 yards away | Exempt | |
| Taphill Takeaway Takeaway/sandwich shop | 104 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 April 2025 |
| Hope Cottage Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 166 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 February 2026 |
| The Rectory Other catering premises | 170 yards away | Exempt |
Questions about J & S Downing
What is J & S Downing's food hygiene rating?
J & S Downing has a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5 (good), given by West Devon Council on 22 October 2025.
Is J & S Downing 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 J & S Downing last inspected?
J & S Downing was last inspected on 22 October 2025, 8 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Devon Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at J & S Downing?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "generally satisfactory", 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 J & S Downing compare to other places in West Devon?
83% of the 548 rated food businesses in West Devon hold the top rating of 5, while J & S Downing holds a 4. 71 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
West Devon Council inspects J & S Downing 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 J & S Downing and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
J & S Downing is one of 15 rated food businesses in Bere Alston. See every hygiene rating in Bere Alston →
West Devon inspects and rates 629 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Devon →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.westdevon.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 →