WH Smith food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Stevenage
WH Smith 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 18 February 2020, more than 6 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: WH Smith Travel, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB
How it compares in Stevenage
That puts WH Smith among the 467 places in Stevenage holding top marks, 89% 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 | 467 | 89% | ← WH Smith | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 41 | 8% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 10 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 1 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 166 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 WH Smith 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 WH Smith, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee Haven Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 April 2025 |
| Abbington House Caring Premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 September 2024 |
| Fishers Green Convenience Store Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 June 2024 |
| Crispy Duck Rotisserie Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 August 2024 |
| ACS Snacks Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 November 2025 |
| Almond Hill JMI School School/college/university | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 27 February 2026 |
| Cinnabar Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 September 2025 |
| El Bar De Tapas Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 May 2026 |
Questions about WH Smith
What is WH Smith's food hygiene rating?
WH Smith has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Stevenage Council on 18 February 2020.
Is WH Smith 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 WH Smith last inspected?
WH Smith was last inspected on 18 February 2020, more than 6 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Stevenage Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at WH Smith?
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 WH Smith compare to other places in Stevenage?
89% of the 527 rated food businesses in Stevenage hold the top rating of 5, and WH Smith is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Stevenage Council inspects WH Smith 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 WH Smith 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
WH Smith is one of 417 rated food businesses in Herts. See every hygiene rating in Herts →
Stevenage inspects and rates 693 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Stevenage →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.stevenage.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 →