True North Emporium food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Durham
True North Emporium 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 September 2022, 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: 1 Cheapside, Spennymoor, DL16 6QE
How it compares in Durham
That puts True North Emporium among the 3,088 places in Durham holding top marks, 75% 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 | 3,088 | 75% | ← True North Emporium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 676 | 16% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 285 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 50 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 22 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 517 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 True North Emporium 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 True North Emporium, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle Black Co. Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 6 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 February 2026 |
| Bloom n Witches Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 47 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 May 2025 |
| The Penny Gill Pub/bar/nightclub | 49 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 September 2019 |
| The Grand Electric Hall Pub/bar/nightclub | 56 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2025 |
| Greggs Retailers - other | 83 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 June 2026 |
| Mr B's Bakery Retailers - other | 96 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 February 2025 |
| Card Factory Retailers - other | 105 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 August 2024 |
| Iceland Foods Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 118 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 April 2026 |
Questions about True North Emporium
What is True North Emporium's food hygiene rating?
True North Emporium has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Durham Council on 13 September 2022.
Is True North Emporium 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 True North Emporium last inspected?
True North Emporium was last inspected on 13 September 2022, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Durham Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at True North Emporium?
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 True North Emporium compare to other places in Durham?
75% of the 4,123 rated food businesses in Durham hold the top rating of 5, and True North Emporium is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Durham Council inspects True North Emporium 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 True North Emporium and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
True North Emporium is one of 119 rated food businesses in Spennymoor. See every hygiene rating in Spennymoor →
Durham inspects and rates 4,640 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Durham →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.durham.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 →