M L Richardson and Sons Ltd food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Cumberland
M L Richardson and Sons Ltd 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 5 November 2024, 20 months ago. That is getting on for the longest gap councils usually leave, so the score may not reflect how the business is run today.
Address: Low Row Service Station, Low Row, CA8 2JE
How it compares in Cumberland
That puts M L Richardson and Sons Ltd among the 2,087 places in Cumberland holding top marks, 84% 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 | 2,087 | 84% | ← M L Richardson and Sons Ltd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 285 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 88 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 17 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 13 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 258 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 M L Richardson and Sons Ltd 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 M L Richardson and Sons Ltd, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temon Treat Box Other catering premises | 1.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 June 2025 |
| Lanercost School Kitchen School/college/university | 2.0 miles away | Exempt | |
| Hallbankgate School School/college/university | 2.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 November 2024 |
| The Belted Will Inn Pub/bar/nightclub | 2.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 March 2025 |
| Hallbankgate Hub Ltd Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 2.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 September 2025 |
| Farlam Hall Ltd Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 2.2 miles away | 4 - Good | 22 April 2026 |
| Abbey Farmhouse Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 2.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 April 2024 |
| Cafe Lanercost Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 2.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 December 2025 |
Questions about M L Richardson and Sons Ltd
What is M L Richardson and Sons Ltd's food hygiene rating?
M L Richardson and Sons Ltd has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Cumberland Council on 5 November 2024.
Is M L Richardson and Sons Ltd 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 M L Richardson and Sons Ltd last inspected?
M L Richardson and Sons Ltd was last inspected on 5 November 2024, 20 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Cumberland Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at M L Richardson and Sons Ltd?
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 M L Richardson and Sons Ltd compare to other places in Cumberland?
84% of the 2,490 rated food businesses in Cumberland hold the top rating of 5, and M L Richardson and Sons Ltd is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Cumberland Council inspects M L Richardson and Sons Ltd 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 M L Richardson and Sons Ltd and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Cumberland inspects and rates 2,748 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Cumberland →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.cumberland.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 →