The Poacher food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Mid Sussex
The Poacher 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 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: The Poacher, 139 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU
How it compares in Mid Sussex
That puts The Poacher among the 1,031 places in Mid Sussex holding top marks, 83% 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 | 1,031 | 83% | ← The Poacher | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 127 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 59 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 14 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 16 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 116 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 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 The Poacher 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 Poacher, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iris Bakery Retailers - other | 44 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 May 2025 |
| Hop Tub Brewing Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 116 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 March 2026 |
| Chinese Gardens Takeaway/sandwich shop | 147 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 May 2024 |
| Fuel Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 165 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 October 2025 |
| Cottis Pre School Caring Premises | 246 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2025 |
| Be: Dog Limited Takeaway/sandwich shop | 336 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2023 |
| Lyona Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 354 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 January 2025 |
| Hurstpierpoint Pre School Caring Premises | 364 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 November 2025 |
Questions about The Poacher
What is The Poacher's food hygiene rating?
The Poacher has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Mid Sussex Council on 12 February 2024.
Is The Poacher 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 Poacher last inspected?
The Poacher was last inspected on 12 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Mid Sussex Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Poacher?
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 "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Poacher compare to other places in Mid Sussex?
83% of the 1,248 rated food businesses in Mid Sussex hold the top rating of 5, and The Poacher is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Mid Sussex Council inspects The Poacher 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 Poacher 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 Poacher is one of 100 rated food businesses in Hassocks. See every hygiene rating in Hassocks →
Mid Sussex inspects and rates 1,364 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Mid Sussex →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.midsussex.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 →