The Old Firestation food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Exeter City
The Old Firestation 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 16 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: Topsham Fire Station, Fore Street, Topsham, EX3 0HF
How it compares in Exeter City
That puts The Old Firestation among the 870 places in Exeter City holding top marks, 87% 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 | 870 | 87% | ← The Old Firestation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 88 | 9% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 30 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 111 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 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 The Old Firestation 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 The Old Firestation, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-op Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 4 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 July 2019 |
| JAR Retailers - other | 56 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 September 2025 |
| Country Cheeses Retailers - other | 237 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2025 |
| Cocolato Retailers - other | 263 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 July 2025 |
| Beijing Topsham Fryer Takeaway/sandwich shop | 320 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 December 2024 |
| Denleys Essence of India Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 320 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 June 2025 |
| Circle Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 320 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 June 2021 |
| Bridge Inn Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 December 2024 |
Questions about The Old Firestation
What is The Old Firestation's food hygiene rating?
The Old Firestation has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Exeter City Council on 16 February 2024.
Is The Old Firestation 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 The Old Firestation last inspected?
The Old Firestation was last inspected on 16 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Exeter City Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Old Firestation?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Old Firestation compare to other places in Exeter City?
87% of the 999 rated food businesses in Exeter City hold the top rating of 5, and The Old Firestation is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Exeter City Council inspects The Old Firestation 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 The Old Firestation and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Old Firestation is one of 46 rated food businesses in Topsham. See every hygiene rating in Topsham →
Exeter City inspects and rates 1,110 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Exeter City →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.exeter.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 →