RAFA Hexham Branch food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Northumberland
RAFA Hexham Branch holds a 4, meaning hygiene standards at the pub are good. It is a solid result, the inspector found nothing serious, though a 5 was just out of reach.
The rating: 4 - Good
The rating dates from 26 March 2018, 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: 2a Market Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3NU
How it compares in Northumberland
In Northumberland, 90% of rated places manage a 5, so RAFA Hexham Branch sits behind roughly 2,779 nearby businesses. 7% of the borough shares its 4.
| 5 out of 5 | 2,779 | 90% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 214 | 7% | ← RAFA Hexham Branch | |
| 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 397 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 Generally satisfactory
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 RAFA Hexham Branch 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 RAFA Hexham Branch, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Mexico Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 11 December 2025 |
| 21st Century Herbs Retailers - other | 9 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 May 2023 |
| Cilantro Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 50 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 January 2026 |
| Refectory Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 105 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 January 2025 |
| Market Place Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 110 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 July 2025 |
| Hexham Community Centre Other catering premises | 110 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 October 2018 |
| Grape Tree Retailers - other | 115 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 July 2025 |
| Paxtons Fish & Chips Takeaway/sandwich shop | 115 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2024 |
Questions about RAFA Hexham Branch
What is RAFA Hexham Branch's food hygiene rating?
RAFA Hexham Branch has a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5 (good), given by Northumberland Council on 26 March 2018.
Is RAFA Hexham Branch safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 4 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be good, the top end of the scale.
When was RAFA Hexham Branch last inspected?
RAFA Hexham Branch was last inspected on 26 March 2018, more than 8 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 RAFA Hexham Branch?
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 "generally satisfactory". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does RAFA Hexham Branch compare to other places in Northumberland?
90% of the 3,077 rated food businesses in Northumberland hold the top rating of 5, while RAFA Hexham Branch holds a 4. 214 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
Northumberland Council inspects RAFA Hexham Branch 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 RAFA Hexham Branch and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
RAFA Hexham Branch is one of 169 rated food businesses in Hexham. See every hygiene rating in Hexham →
Northumberland inspects and rates 3,474 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 →