The Blue Bell food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Northumberland
The Blue Bell 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 24 May 2023, more than 3 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: Hill Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5AA
How it compares in Northumberland
That puts The Blue Bell among the 2,775 places in Northumberland holding top marks, 90% 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 | 2,775 | 90% | ← The Blue Bell | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 214 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 67 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 8 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 393 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 Blue Bell 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 Blue Bell, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative Group Food Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | at this address | 5 - Very good | 2 March 2026 |
| J D Hall Butchers Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 11 February 2026 |
| Paul Raes Kitchen at the Blue Bell Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 23 January 2025 |
| The Corbridge Larder Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 30 April 2026 |
| Amber Takeaway & Restaurant Takeaway/sandwich shop | 89 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 February 2025 |
| Corstopitum Social Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 89 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 March 2026 |
| Il Piccolo at Corbridge Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 89 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 January 2025 |
| Wheatsheaf Hotel Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 89 yards away | Awaiting inspection |
Questions about The Blue Bell
What is The Blue Bell's food hygiene rating?
The Blue Bell has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Northumberland Council on 24 May 2023.
Is The Blue Bell 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 Blue Bell last inspected?
The Blue Bell was last inspected on 24 May 2023, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Northumberland Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Blue Bell?
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 Blue Bell compare to other places in Northumberland?
90% of the 3,073 rated food businesses in Northumberland hold the top rating of 5, and The Blue Bell is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Northumberland Council inspects The Blue Bell 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 Blue Bell 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 Blue Bell is one of 48 rated food businesses in Corbridge. See every hygiene rating in Corbridge →
Northumberland inspects and rates 3,466 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Northumberland →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northumberland.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 →