The Union Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · North Devon
The Union Inn 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 March 2010, more than 16 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: 44 Princess Street, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 7EU
How it compares in North Devon
That puts The Union Inn among the 1,107 places in North Devon holding top marks, 84% 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 | 1,107 | 84% | ← The Union Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 129 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 42 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 15 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 21 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 3 | <1% |
A further 150 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 Very 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 Union Inn 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 Union Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfields Respite And Day Service Caring Premises | 290 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 January 2010 |
| Barnstaple Social Club Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 315 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 January 2006 |
| Barnstaple Conservative Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 334 yards away | 5 - Very good | 7 May 2024 |
| Happy Hares Nursery & Pre-School Caring Premises | 334 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 June 2025 |
| Children's Summer Club Other catering premises | 363 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 April 2018 |
| Inspire South West Other catering premises | 363 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 August 2017 |
| Ebberley Arms Pub/bar/nightclub | 366 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 November 2025 |
| Barnstaple Baptist Church Other catering premises | 379 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 December 2015 |
Questions about The Union Inn
What is The Union Inn's food hygiene rating?
The Union Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by North Devon Council on 12 March 2010.
Is The Union Inn 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 Union Inn last inspected?
The Union Inn was last inspected on 12 March 2010, more than 16 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by North Devon Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Union Inn?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very 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 Union Inn compare to other places in North Devon?
84% of the 1,317 rated food businesses in North Devon hold the top rating of 5, and The Union Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
North Devon Council inspects The Union Inn 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 Union Inn 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 Union Inn is one of 413 rated food businesses in Barnstaple. See every hygiene rating in Barnstaple →
North Devon inspects and rates 1,467 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in North Devon →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northdevon.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 →