European Market food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Maidstone
European Market 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 18 May 2023, 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: 6 Gabriels Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JG
How it compares in Maidstone
That puts European Market among the 1,136 places in Maidstone holding top marks, 82% 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 | 1,136 | 82% | ← European Market | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 165 | 12% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 61 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 65 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 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 European Market 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 European Market, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bliss Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 7 November 2024 |
| Appamma Kitchen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 53 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 September 2025 |
| Ballin Maidstone Pub/bar/nightclub | 88 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 November 2025 |
| Ashes Sports Bar Pub/bar/nightclub | 150 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 May 2023 |
| Akins Food Retailers - other | 152 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 April 2026 |
| Card Factory Retailers - other | 186 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 January 2020 |
| BBs Coffee And Muffins Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 186 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 December 2025 |
| Buzz Bingo - Maidstone Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 187 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 July 2025 |
Questions about European Market
What is European Market's food hygiene rating?
European Market has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Maidstone Council on 18 May 2023.
Is European Market 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 European Market last inspected?
European Market was last inspected on 18 May 2023, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Maidstone Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at European Market?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does European Market compare to other places in Maidstone?
82% of the 1,387 rated food businesses in Maidstone hold the top rating of 5, and European Market is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Maidstone Council inspects European Market 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 European Market and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Maidstone inspects and rates 1,452 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Maidstone →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.maidstone.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 →