Merry Go Round food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · West Devon
Merry Go Round 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 10 August 2023, more than 2 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: 6 Market Street, North Tawton, EX20 2ET
How it compares in West Devon
That puts Merry Go Round among the 456 places in West Devon 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 | 456 | 83% | ← Merry Go Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 71 | 13% | ||
| 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 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 Merry Go Round 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 Merry Go Round, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Tawton Pharmacy Retailers - other | 48 yards away | Exempt | |
| Pizza Pronto Takeaway/sandwich shop | 49 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 March 2026 |
| Barzotelli Gelato Takeaway/sandwich shop | 66 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 August 2025 |
| Cafe in the Square Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 78 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 October 2025 |
| Spar Retailers - other | 96 yards away | 4 - Good | 4 February 2026 |
| Ecomojo Cic Retailers - other | 106 yards away | 4 - Good | 4 February 2026 |
| Graylings Fish & Chips Takeaway/sandwich shop | 106 yards away | 4 - Good | 26 November 2025 |
| The Copper Key Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 January 2025 |
Questions about Merry Go Round
What is Merry Go Round's food hygiene rating?
Merry Go Round has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by West Devon Council on 10 August 2023.
Is Merry Go Round 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 Merry Go Round last inspected?
Merry Go Round was last inspected on 10 August 2023, more than 2 years 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 Merry Go Round?
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 Merry Go Round compare to other places in West Devon?
83% of the 548 rated food businesses in West Devon hold the top rating of 5, and Merry Go Round is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
West Devon Council inspects Merry Go Round 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 Merry Go Round and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Merry Go Round is one of 17 rated food businesses in North Tawton. See every hygiene rating in North Tawton →
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 →