Russells Local food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Central Bedfordshire
Russells Local holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the shop met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 25 March 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: 37 Russell Drive, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2TX
How it compares in Central Bedfordshire
That puts Russells Local among the 1,153 places in Central Bedfordshire holding top marks, 76% 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 | 1,153 | 76% | ← Russells Local | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 254 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 83 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 18 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 10 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 189 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 Russells Local 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 Russells Local, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caterplus Ltd Caring Premises | 347 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 November 2025 |
| Merry Poppets Nursery Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 September 2025 |
| Ladybird Pre School Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 March 2025 |
| Russell Lower School School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 July 2025 |
| Evergreen SUSD Unit Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 February 2025 |
| Alameda Middle School School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 January 2025 |
| Firs Lower School School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 March 2026 |
| Redborne North Upper School School/college/university | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 March 2025 |
Questions about Russells Local
What is Russells Local's food hygiene rating?
Russells Local has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Central Bedfordshire Council on 25 March 2024.
Is Russells Local 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 shop to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Russells Local last inspected?
Russells Local was last inspected on 25 March 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Central Bedfordshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Russells Local?
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 Russells Local compare to other places in Central Bedfordshire?
76% of the 1,520 rated food businesses in Central Bedfordshire hold the top rating of 5, and Russells Local is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Central Bedfordshire Council inspects Russells Local 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 Russells Local 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
Russells Local is one of 56 rated food businesses in Ampthill. See every hygiene rating in Ampthill →
Central Bedfordshire inspects and rates 1,709 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Central Bedfordshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.centralbedfordshire.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 →