A2 Off Licence food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Swale
A2 Off Licence 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 13 June 2022, more than 4 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: 21 Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4SG
How it compares in Swale
That puts A2 Off Licence among the 989 places in Swale holding top marks, 83% 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 | 989 | 83% | ← A2 Off Licence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 134 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 41 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 13 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 3 | <1% |
A further 40 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 A2 Off Licence 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 A2 Off Licence, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entree Food Academy Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 298 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 November 2024 |
| Chris' Convenience Store Retailers - other | 325 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 April 2023 |
| Aldi Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 333 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 November 2021 |
| Busy Bees Nursery Caring Premises | 387 yards away | 5 - Very good | 10 December 2025 |
| BG's Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 April 2025 |
| East Street News Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 April 2021 |
| Empress Of India Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 September 2025 |
| Central Pie Shop Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 May 2026 |
Questions about A2 Off Licence
What is A2 Off Licence's food hygiene rating?
A2 Off Licence has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Swale Council on 13 June 2022.
Is A2 Off Licence 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 A2 Off Licence last inspected?
A2 Off Licence was last inspected on 13 June 2022, more than 4 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Swale Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at A2 Off Licence?
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 A2 Off Licence compare to other places in Swale?
83% of the 1,186 rated food businesses in Swale hold the top rating of 5, and A2 Off Licence is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Swale Council inspects A2 Off Licence 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 A2 Off Licence and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
Free, for three businesses, forever. No password, we send you a link. How rating alerts work →
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
A2 Off Licence is one of 298 rated food businesses in Sittingbourne. See every hygiene rating in Sittingbourne →
Swale inspects and rates 1,226 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Swale →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.swale.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 →