Sophies Store food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Gateshead
Sophies Store 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 7 February 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: Fell House Foodstore, 15 New South Terrace, Birtley, DH3 1AF
How it compares in Gateshead
That puts Sophies Store among the 1,170 places in Gateshead holding top marks, 81% 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 | 1,170 | 81% | ← Sophies Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 197 | 14% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 58 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 1 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 10 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 202 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 Sophies Store 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 Sophies Store, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birtley Buffs Pub/bar/nightclub | 205 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 October 2025 |
| Bright Star Nursery School/college/university | 266 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 November 2025 |
| Birtley Masonic Hall Pub/bar/nightclub | 336 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 April 2024 |
| Birtley Branch Library Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 427 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 December 2023 |
| China Chef Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 August 2025 |
| Continental Delicatessen Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 July 2025 |
| Casa Rosa Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 February 2026 |
| Afro Asian Market Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 July 2025 |
Questions about Sophies Store
What is Sophies Store's food hygiene rating?
Sophies Store has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Gateshead Council on 7 February 2024.
Is Sophies Store 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 Sophies Store last inspected?
Sophies Store was last inspected on 7 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Gateshead Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Sophies Store?
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 Sophies Store compare to other places in Gateshead?
81% of the 1,436 rated food businesses in Gateshead hold the top rating of 5, and Sophies Store is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Gateshead Council inspects Sophies Store 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 Sophies Store and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Sophies Store is one of 102 rated food businesses in Birtley. See every hygiene rating in Birtley →
Gateshead inspects and rates 1,638 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Gateshead →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.gateshead.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 →