So Sussex food hygiene rating
Other catering premises · Lewes
So Sussex holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the business met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 30 July 2025, 11 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: Spithurst Hub Spithurst Road, Barcombe, BN8 5EE
How it compares in Lewes
That puts So Sussex among the 741 places in Lewes holding top marks, 85% 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 | 741 | 85% | ← So Sussex | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 88 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 24 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 91 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 So Sussex 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 So Sussex, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Lodge B & B Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 May 2025 |
| Holmansbridge Farm Shop & Poultry Retailers - other | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 February 2025 |
| Humble Pie Manufacturers/packers | 0.9 miles away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 6 May 2025 |
| Rhubarb and Custard Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 May 2025 |
Questions about So Sussex
What is So Sussex's food hygiene rating?
So Sussex has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Lewes Council on 30 July 2025.
Is So Sussex 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 business to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was So Sussex last inspected?
So Sussex was last inspected on 30 July 2025, 11 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Lewes Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at So Sussex?
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 So Sussex compare to other places in Lewes?
85% of the 869 rated food businesses in Lewes hold the top rating of 5, and So Sussex is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Lewes Council inspects So Sussex 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 So Sussex and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
So Sussex is one of 19 rated food businesses in Barcombe. See every hygiene rating in Barcombe →
Lewes inspects and rates 960 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Lewes →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.lewes-eastbourne.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 →