A J News food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Islington
A J News 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 1 October 2018, more than 7 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: A J News, 128 Whitecross Street, London, EC1Y 8PU
How it compares in Islington
That puts A J News among the 1,536 places in Islington holding top marks, 64% 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 | 1,536 | 64% | ← A J News | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 470 | 20% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 265 | 11% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 88 | 4% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 47 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 180 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 A J News 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 A J News, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Pinch of Salt Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 156 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 April 2026 |
| 1930 Coffee Company Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 30 June 2026 |
| 23 Paul Street Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 August 2024 |
| 88 Beans Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 April 2025 |
| 87 Barts Other catering premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 February 2026 |
| 56 WS Wine Bar & Shop Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 November 2022 |
| 3rd Generation Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 February 2022 |
| 081 Pizzeria Napoletana Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 October 2025 |
Questions about A J News
What is A J News's food hygiene rating?
A J News has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Islington Council on 1 October 2018.
Is A J News 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 A J News last inspected?
A J News was last inspected on 1 October 2018, more than 7 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Islington Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at A J News?
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 A J News compare to other places in Islington?
64% of the 2,407 rated food businesses in Islington hold the top rating of 5, and A J News is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Islington Council inspects A J News 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 A J News and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Islington inspects and rates 2,587 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Islington →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.islington.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 →