The Observatory food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Blackburn
The Observatory 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 7 July 2025, 12 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: The Observatory The Observatory Old Bank Lane, Blackburn, BB2 3HG
How it compares in Blackburn
That puts The Observatory among the 738 places in Blackburn holding top marks, 69% 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 | 738 | 69% | ← The Observatory | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 136 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 84 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 50 | 5% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 66 | 6% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 233 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling 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 Observatory 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 Observatory, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audley Infant School School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 September 2025 |
| Better Bodies Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 April 2022 |
| Audley and Queens Park Children Centre Caring Premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 July 2025 |
| Bumble Bees Nursery Caring Premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 May 2026 |
| Clifton Arms Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 July 2024 |
| Asda Stores Ltd Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
| AS Halal Meats Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 November 2024 |
| B & M Retail Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 July 2025 |
Questions about The Observatory
What is The Observatory's food hygiene rating?
The Observatory has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Blackburn Council on 7 July 2025.
Is The Observatory 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 Observatory last inspected?
The Observatory was last inspected on 7 July 2025, 12 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Blackburn Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Observatory?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 Observatory compare to other places in Blackburn?
69% of the 1,076 rated food businesses in Blackburn hold the top rating of 5, and The Observatory is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Blackburn Council inspects The Observatory 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 Observatory 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
The Observatory is one of 1,179 rated food businesses in Blackburn With Darwen. See every hygiene rating in Blackburn With Darwen →
Blackburn inspects and rates 1,309 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Blackburn →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.blackburn.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 →