The Black Lion food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · East Hertfordshire
The Black Lion 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 18 January 2024, more than 2 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: 10 Bridge Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2JY
How it compares in East Hertfordshire
That puts The Black Lion among the 977 places in East Hertfordshire 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 | 977 | 84% | ← The Black Lion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 146 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 30 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 221 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 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 Lion 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 Lion, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe Mocha Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 34 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 May 2024 |
| Bishop's Butchers Retailers - other | 43 yards away | 5 - Very good | 26 June 2025 |
| Dorringtons Ltd Retailers - other | 43 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 November 2025 |
| Holland & Barrett Retailers - other | 81 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2024 |
| Host Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 84 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 August 2025 |
| Caffe Nero Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 113 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 March 2025 |
| Caffe Inn Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 127 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 September 2025 |
| Grapetree Retailers - other | 128 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 February 2025 |
Questions about The Black Lion
What is The Black Lion's food hygiene rating?
The Black Lion has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by East Hertfordshire Council on 18 January 2024.
Is The Black Lion 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 Lion last inspected?
The Black Lion was last inspected on 18 January 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by East Hertfordshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Black Lion?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Black Lion compare to other places in East Hertfordshire?
84% of the 1,168 rated food businesses in East Hertfordshire hold the top rating of 5, and The Black Lion is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
East Hertfordshire Council inspects The Black Lion 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 Lion 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 Black Lion is one of 281 rated food businesses in Bishops Stortford. See every hygiene rating in Bishops Stortford →
East Hertfordshire inspects and rates 1,389 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in East Hertfordshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eastherts.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 →