The Black Bull food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Northumberland
The Black Bull 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 29 June 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: North Side, Matfen, Northumberland, NE20 0RP
How it compares in Northumberland
That puts The Black Bull among the 2,779 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 | 2,779 | 90% | ← The Black Bull | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 397 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 Black Bull 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 Black Bull, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matfen Village Store & Coffee Shop Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 20 August 2024 |
| Olive Store Distributors/Transporters | at this address | 4 - Good | 26 March 2024 |
| Matfen Village Hall Other catering premises | 98 yards away | Exempt | |
| Matfen Cricket Club Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 122 yards away | Awaiting inspection | |
| Go Ape Retailers - other | 262 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 November 2025 |
| Matfen Hall Hotel Ltd Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 262 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 June 2026 |
| The Keepers Lodge Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 262 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 June 2026 |
Questions about The Black Bull
What is The Black Bull's food hygiene rating?
The Black Bull has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Northumberland Council on 29 June 2023.
Is The Black Bull 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 Black Bull last inspected?
The Black Bull was last inspected on 29 June 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 Black Bull?
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 Black Bull compare to other places in Northumberland?
90% of the 3,077 rated food businesses in Northumberland hold the top rating of 5, and The Black Bull is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Northumberland Council inspects The Black Bull 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 Black Bull and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
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 →