The Tap On Bondgate food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Darlington
The Tap On Bondgate holds a 0, the lowest food hygiene rating possible, meaning urgent improvement is necessary. The inspector found serious problems at the pub requiring immediate action.
The rating: 0 - Urgent improvement necessary
The rating dates from 12 November 2025, 7 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: 94 Bondgate, Darlington, DL3 7JY
How it compares in Darlington
A 0 is rare: only 1 of 836 rated places in Darlington score this low, about one in 836. By contrast 90% of the borough holds a 5, so this is well below what the council's inspectors normally find.
| 5 out of 5 | 755 | 90% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 48 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 19 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% | ← The Tap On Bondgate |
A further 79 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 Good
- How well they manage food safety Urgent improvement necessary
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 Tap On Bondgate the inspector recorded concerns over confidence in management. Because the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, that is what holds the score down.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to The Tap On Bondgate, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buzz Bingo Pub/bar/nightclub | 105 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 December 2025 |
| Best Afro Foods Other catering premises | 126 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 February 2024 |
| Best Kebab Takeaway/sandwich shop | 167 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 February 2026 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 190 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 July 2023 |
| Bright Post House Store Retailers - other | 206 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 March 2026 |
| Andy's Candy Bar Retailers - other | 223 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 September 2025 |
| Bakerman Retailers - other | 231 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 October 2023 |
| Cafe Spice Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 236 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 March 2026 |
Questions about The Tap On Bondgate
What is The Tap On Bondgate's food hygiene rating?
The Tap On Bondgate has a food hygiene rating of 0 out of 5 (urgent improvement necessary), given by Darlington Council on 12 November 2025.
Is The Tap On Bondgate safe to eat at?
A 0 means urgent improvement is necessary: the inspector found serious problems. The pub may still be trading, because a rating is not a closure order, but this is the lowest score the scheme gives.
When was The Tap On Bondgate last inspected?
The Tap On Bondgate was last inspected on 12 November 2025, 7 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Darlington Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Tap On Bondgate?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "generally satisfactory", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "urgent improvement necessary". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Tap On Bondgate compare to other places in Darlington?
90% of the 836 rated food businesses in Darlington hold the top rating of 5, while The Tap On Bondgate holds a 0. 1 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
Darlington Council inspects The Tap On Bondgate 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 Tap On Bondgate 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 →
Is this your business?
A rating of 0 is public, and most customers look. Only 18% of people say they would order from a business rated 2 or below, against 94% from one rated 4. Delivery platforms may decline to list you.
We cannot change this rating, and nor can you. It was set by an environmental health officer at Darlington, and it stands until they inspect again. What you can do:
- Fix what the inspector found, then ask the council for a re-inspection. Most charge between £120 and £316, and will not re-visit within three months of the original inspection.
- If you believe the rating is simply wrong, you have 21 days from being notified to appeal to the council. That is 21 calendar days, not working days.
- You may submit a right to reply at any time. It is published alongside the rating, here, and on the FSA's own site.
What a low rating means → · How re-inspections and appeals work →
Your council: Darlington
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Darlington inspects and rates 915 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Darlington →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.darlington.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 →