W H Smith food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Tunbridge Wells
W H 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 23 March 2011, more than 15 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: WHSmith, The Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Road, TN2 4QJ
How it compares in Tunbridge Wells
That puts W H Smith among the 860 places in Tunbridge Wells holding top marks, 83% 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 | 860 | 83% | ← W H Smith | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 114 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 46 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 45 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 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 W H 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 W H Smith, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornford House Caring Premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 January 2026 |
| Caterlink At Oakley School Tunbridge Wells School/college/university | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
| Greggswood Stores Premier Retailers - other | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 February 2007 |
| Aldi Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 November 2019 |
| B\&Q Retailers - other | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 April 2026 |
| Asda Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 February 2025 |
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 November 2025 |
| Greggs Retailers - other | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 April 2026 |
Questions about W H Smith
What is W H Smith's food hygiene rating?
W H Smith has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Tunbridge Wells Council on 23 March 2011.
Is W H 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 W H Smith last inspected?
W H Smith was last inspected on 23 March 2011, more than 15 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Tunbridge Wells Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at W H Smith?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 W H Smith compare to other places in Tunbridge Wells?
83% of the 1,038 rated food businesses in Tunbridge Wells hold the top rating of 5, and W H Smith is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Tunbridge Wells Council inspects W H 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 W H Smith and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
W H Smith is one of 32 rated food businesses in Pembury. See every hygiene rating in Pembury →
Tunbridge Wells inspects and rates 1,083 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Tunbridge Wells →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.tunbridgewells.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 →