Shortflatt Tower food hygiene rating
Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Northumberland
Shortflatt Tower holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the restaurant met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 1 July 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: Belsay, Northumberland, NE20 0HD
How it compares in Northumberland
That puts Shortflatt Tower among the 2,779 places in Northumberland holding top marks, 90% 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 | 2,779 | 90% | ← Shortflatt Tower | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 214 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 67 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 8 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 397 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling 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 Shortflatt Tower 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 Shortflatt Tower, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harnham Buddhist Monastery Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 June 2025 |
| Bolam Lake Country Park & Visitor Centre Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 May 2024 |
| Belsay Hall Castle & Gardens Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 July 2023 |
| Belsay Hall Tearooms Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 August 2025 |
| Blacksmiths Coffee Shop Ltd Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 March 2025 |
| The Blacksmiths Barn Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 July 2023 |
| The Coach House Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 April 2026 |
| Belsay Hall Castle & Gardens Retailers - other | 1.9 miles away | Awaiting inspection |
Questions about Shortflatt Tower
What is Shortflatt Tower's food hygiene rating?
Shortflatt Tower has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Northumberland Council on 1 July 2024.
Is Shortflatt Tower 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 restaurant to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Shortflatt Tower last inspected?
Shortflatt Tower was last inspected on 1 July 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Northumberland Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Shortflatt Tower?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 Shortflatt Tower compare to other places in Northumberland?
90% of the 3,077 rated food businesses in Northumberland hold the top rating of 5, and Shortflatt Tower is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Northumberland Council inspects Shortflatt Tower 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 Shortflatt Tower 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
Northumberland inspects and rates 3,474 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Northumberland →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northumberland.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 →