Russell News food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Camden
Russell News holds a 0, the lowest food hygiene rating possible, meaning urgent improvement is necessary. The inspector found serious problems at the shop requiring immediate action.
The rating: 0 - Urgent improvement necessary
The rating dates from 25 March 2026, 3 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 12 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NH
How it compares in Camden
A 0 is rare: only 52 of 3,373 rated places in Camden score this low, about one in 65. By contrast 59% of the borough holds a 5, so this is well below what the council's inspectors normally find.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,993 | 59% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 654 | 19% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 457 | 14% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 127 | 4% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 90 | 3% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 52 | 2% | ← Russell News |
A further 924 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Major improvement necessary
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Major improvement necessary
- How well they manage food safety Major improvement necessary
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 Russell News the inspector recorded concerns over how food is handled, the condition of the premises and confidence in management. Because the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, that is what holds the score down.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Russell News, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Soho Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 227 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 September 2024 |
| 3 Greek Street Retailers - other | 312 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 June 2022 |
| 100 Club Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 May 2024 |
| 76 Dean Street Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 April 2025 |
| 40 Greek Street Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 March 2025 |
| 27 Old Compton Street Pasta Bar Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 July 2025 |
| 7th floor cafe Other catering premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 April 2024 |
| 64 Goodge Street Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
Questions about Russell News
What is Russell News's food hygiene rating?
Russell News has a food hygiene rating of 0 out of 5 (urgent improvement necessary), given by Camden Council on 25 March 2026.
Is Russell News safe to eat at?
A 0 means urgent improvement is necessary: the inspector found serious problems. The shop may still be trading, because a rating is not a closure order, but this is the lowest score the scheme gives.
When was Russell News last inspected?
Russell News was last inspected on 25 March 2026, 3 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Camden Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Russell News?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "major improvement necessary", the cleanliness and condition of the building "major improvement necessary", and confidence in the management of food safety "major improvement necessary". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Russell News compare to other places in Camden?
59% of the 3,373 rated food businesses in Camden hold the top rating of 5, while Russell News holds a 0. 52 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
Camden Council inspects Russell 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 Russell News 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 →
Is this your business?
A rating of 0 is public, and most customers look. Only 18% of people say they would order from a business rated 2 or below, against 94% from one rated 4. Delivery platforms may decline to list you.
We cannot change this rating, and nor can you. It was set by an environmental health officer at Camden, and it stands until they inspect again. What you can do:
- Fix what the inspector found, then ask the council for a re-inspection. Most charge between £120 and £316, and will not re-visit within three months of the original inspection.
- If you believe the rating is simply wrong, you have 21 days from being notified to appeal to the council. That is 21 calendar days, not working days.
- You may submit a right to reply at any time. It is published alongside the rating, here, and on the FSA's own site.
What a low rating means → · How re-inspections and appeals work →
Your council: Camden
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Camden inspects and rates 4,297 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Camden →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.camden.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 →