Smiths Newsagency food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Reading
Smiths Newsagency holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the shop met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 2 December 2017, more than 8 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: 63 Gosbrook Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8BN
How it compares in Reading
That puts Smiths Newsagency among the 881 places in Reading holding top marks, 65% 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 | 881 | 65% | ← Smiths Newsagency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 248 | 18% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 148 | 11% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 39 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 41 | 3% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 5 | <1% |
A further 155 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 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 Smiths Newsagency 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 Smiths Newsagency, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bina Tandoori Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 272 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 November 2025 |
| Angel Bar Pub/bar/nightclub | 310 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 November 2024 |
| BKRY Retailers - other | 360 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 March 2026 |
| Alto Lounge Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 430 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 September 2025 |
| Banana Moon Day Nursery Caring Premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 December 2025 |
| Caterlink at EP Collier Primary School School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 January 2025 |
| Bowl Central Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 January 2026 |
| Boots UK Ltd at Reading Rail Station Concourse Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2025 |
Questions about Smiths Newsagency
What is Smiths Newsagency's food hygiene rating?
Smiths Newsagency has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Reading Council on 2 December 2017.
Is Smiths Newsagency 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 shop to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Smiths Newsagency last inspected?
Smiths Newsagency was last inspected on 2 December 2017, more than 8 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Reading Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Smiths Newsagency?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Smiths Newsagency compare to other places in Reading?
65% of the 1,362 rated food businesses in Reading hold the top rating of 5, and Smiths Newsagency is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Reading Council inspects Smiths Newsagency 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 Smiths Newsagency and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Smiths Newsagency is one of 103 rated food businesses in Caversham. See every hygiene rating in Caversham →
Reading inspects and rates 1,517 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Reading →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.reading.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 →