W H Smith food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Richmond-Upon-Thames
W H Smith 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 5 February 2024, 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: 260 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, SW14 8AG
How it compares in Richmond-Upon-Thames
That puts W H Smith among the 1,011 places in Richmond-Upon-Thames holding top marks, 73% 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 | 1,011 | 73% | ← W H Smith | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 239 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 105 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 13 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 23 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 162 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 W H Smith 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 W H Smith, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7G Sheen Express Retailers - other | 76 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 April 2025 |
| Apples and Bees Retailers - other | 124 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 December 2023 |
| 7 Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 133 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 June 2026 |
| AK Pizza London LTD T/A Caprinos Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 402 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 September 2025 |
| A Craver's Box Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 432 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 February 2026 |
| Annapurna Nepalese Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 October 2025 |
| ABC Daycare Ltd Manufacturers/packers | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 October 2025 |
| Achieving for Children CIC Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 September 2024 |
Questions about W H Smith
What is W H Smith's food hygiene rating?
W H Smith has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Richmond-Upon-Thames Council on 5 February 2024.
Is W H Smith 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 W H Smith last inspected?
W H Smith was last inspected on 5 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Richmond-Upon-Thames Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at W H Smith?
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 W H Smith compare to other places in Richmond-Upon-Thames?
73% of the 1,392 rated food businesses in Richmond-Upon-Thames hold the top rating of 5, and W H Smith is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Richmond-Upon-Thames Council inspects W H Smith 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 W H Smith and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
W H Smith is one of 1,379 rated food businesses in Richmond upon Thames. See every hygiene rating in Richmond upon Thames →
Richmond-Upon-Thames inspects and rates 1,554 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Richmond-Upon-Thames →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.richmond.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 →