The Criterion food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · South Tyneside
The Criterion holds a 3: generally satisfactory. The pub met the legal standard, but the inspector recorded enough minor issues that it fell short of a good or very good rating.
The rating: 3 - Generally satisfactory
The rating dates from 21 March 2025, 15 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 2a Ocean Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 2HZ
How it compares in South Tyneside
In South Tyneside, 74% of rated places manage a 5, so The Criterion sits behind roughly 885 nearby businesses. 7% of the borough shares its 3.
| 5 out of 5 | 721 | 74% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 164 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 65 | 7% | ← The Criterion | |
| 2 out of 5 | 19 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 63 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Generally satisfactory
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Generally satisfactory
- 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 Criterion 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 Criterion, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arman Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 67 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 July 2026 |
| Buzz Bingo Pub/bar/nightclub | 68 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 May 2026 |
| B & M Retail Ltd Retailers - other | 149 yards away | 5 - Very good | 31 October 2018 |
| Admiral Other catering premises | 178 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 January 2020 |
| Burger Bar Mile End Spice Takeaway/sandwich shop | 230 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 May 2025 |
| Alexander Bolam Retailers - other | 251 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2014 |
| Beach News Mobile caterer | 277 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 January 2025 |
| Apna Gar Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 283 yards away | 5 - Very good | 7 February 2024 |
Questions about The Criterion
What is The Criterion's food hygiene rating?
The Criterion has a food hygiene rating of 3 out of 5 (generally satisfactory), given by South Tyneside Council on 21 March 2025.
Is The Criterion safe to eat at?
A 3 means the pub met the legal standard, so it is lawful to eat there, but the inspector recorded issues that stopped it scoring higher. It is the middle of the scale.
When was The Criterion last inspected?
The Criterion was last inspected on 21 March 2025, 15 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by South Tyneside Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Criterion?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "generally satisfactory", the cleanliness and condition of the building "generally satisfactory", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Criterion compare to other places in South Tyneside?
74% of the 975 rated food businesses in South Tyneside hold the top rating of 5, while The Criterion holds a 3. 65 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
South Tyneside Council inspects The Criterion 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 Criterion 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 Criterion is one of 925 rated food businesses in Tyne & Wear. See every hygiene rating in Tyne & Wear →
South Tyneside inspects and rates 1,038 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in South Tyneside →
The official record is held by the council: https://www.southtyneside.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 →