Sowdens Stores food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Bradford
Sowdens Stores 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 15 January 2013, more than 13 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: 79-81 Highfield Lane, Keighley, BD21 2HD
How it compares in Bradford
That puts Sowdens Stores among the 2,942 places in Bradford holding top marks, 72% 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 | 2,942 | 72% | ← Sowdens Stores | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 682 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 306 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 103 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 41 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 5 | <1% |
A further 554 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 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 Sowdens Stores 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 Sowdens Stores, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspens Services at Victoria Primary School School/college/university | 163 yards away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2026 |
| Balti House Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 425 yards away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2025 |
| Big Soup Theatre Group Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 May 2026 |
| Caterlink at St Annes Catholic Primary School School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 September 2025 |
| Carry Fresh Store Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 May 2024 |
| 50's Grill & Diner Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 December 2024 |
| Flava Fix Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 February 2025 |
| Brown Cow Inn (Bar Only) Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 January 2013 |
Questions about Sowdens Stores
What is Sowdens Stores's food hygiene rating?
Sowdens Stores has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Bradford Council on 15 January 2013.
Is Sowdens Stores 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 Sowdens Stores last inspected?
Sowdens Stores was last inspected on 15 January 2013, more than 13 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Bradford Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Sowdens Stores?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 Sowdens Stores compare to other places in Bradford?
72% of the 4,079 rated food businesses in Bradford hold the top rating of 5, and Sowdens Stores is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Bradford Council inspects Sowdens Stores 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 Sowdens Stores and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
Free, for three businesses, forever. No password, we send you a link. How rating alerts work →
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Sowdens Stores is one of 507 rated food businesses in Keighley. See every hygiene rating in Keighley →
Bradford inspects and rates 4,633 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Bradford →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.bradford.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 →