The Blue Bells food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Hartlepool
The Blue Bells 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 30 April 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: Stockton Road, Newton Bewley, TS22 5PQ
How it compares in Hartlepool
That puts The Blue Bells among the 670 places in Hartlepool holding top marks, 91% 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 | 670 | 91% | ← The Blue Bells | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 49 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 18 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 2 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 0 | 0% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 30 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 Blue Bells 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 Blue Bells, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton Premier Retailers - other | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 September 2025 |
| Foodies Village Deli and Bakery Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 May 2025 |
| Go Local Extra & Grange Cafe Retailers - other | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 30 January 2025 |
Questions about The Blue Bells
What is The Blue Bells's food hygiene rating?
The Blue Bells has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Hartlepool Council on 30 April 2024.
Is The Blue Bells 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 Blue Bells last inspected?
The Blue Bells was last inspected on 30 April 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Hartlepool Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Blue Bells?
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 Blue Bells compare to other places in Hartlepool?
91% of the 739 rated food businesses in Hartlepool hold the top rating of 5, and The Blue Bells is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Hartlepool Council inspects The Blue Bells 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 Blue Bells and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Hartlepool inspects and rates 769 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Hartlepool →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.hartlepool.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 →