Smiths Tavern food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Derbyshire Dales
Smiths Tavern holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 12 January 2022, more than 4 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: 36 St John Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1GH
How it compares in Derbyshire Dales
That puts Smiths Tavern among the 526 places in Derbyshire Dales holding top marks, 64% 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 | 526 | 64% | ← Smiths Tavern | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 168 | 20% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 90 | 11% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 24 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 10 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 84 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 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 Smiths Tavern 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 Smiths Tavern, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 1 October 2024 |
| St Johns Street Gallery And Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 2 October 2025 |
| Greenman Public House Pub/bar/nightclub | at this address | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 10 December 2024 |
| Jack Rabbits Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 14 August 2025 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 7 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 September 2022 |
| f'coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 7 yards away | 4 - Good | 11 November 2025 |
| Beaumonts of Ashbourne Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 17 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 January 2026 |
| Natural Choice Health Foods Retailers - other | 34 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 November 2025 |
Questions about Smiths Tavern
What is Smiths Tavern's food hygiene rating?
Smiths Tavern has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Derbyshire Dales Council on 12 January 2022.
Is Smiths Tavern 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 pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Smiths Tavern last inspected?
Smiths Tavern was last inspected on 12 January 2022, more than 4 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Derbyshire Dales Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Smiths Tavern?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Smiths Tavern compare to other places in Derbyshire Dales?
64% of the 820 rated food businesses in Derbyshire Dales hold the top rating of 5, and Smiths Tavern is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Derbyshire Dales Council inspects Smiths Tavern 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 Smiths Tavern and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Smiths Tavern is one of 105 rated food businesses in Ashbourne. See every hygiene rating in Ashbourne →
Derbyshire Dales inspects and rates 904 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Derbyshire Dales →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/fhrs
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 →