Bal's Wines food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Sandwell
Bal's Wines holds a 4, meaning hygiene standards at the shop are good. It is a solid result, the inspector found nothing serious, though a 5 was just out of reach.
The rating: 4 - Good
The rating dates from 18 May 2023, more than 3 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: 107 Sams Lane, West Bromwich, B70 7EG
How it compares in Sandwell
In Sandwell, 66% of rated places manage a 5, so Bal's Wines sits behind roughly 1,561 nearby businesses. 22% of the borough shares its 4.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,561 | 66% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 513 | 22% | ← Bal's Wines | |
| 3 out of 5 | 168 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 41 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 56 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 11 | <1% |
A further 326 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 Generally satisfactory
- How well they manage food safety Generally satisfactory
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 Bal's Wines 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 Bal's Wines, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Place to Taste Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 July 2025 |
| Bethel Convention Centre Other catering premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 January 2023 |
| Biedronka Polski Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 June 2025 |
| Admiral Casino Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 November 2024 |
| Angels Gentlemens Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 January 2020 |
| Bibiana Conference Hall Other catering premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 September 2025 |
| B&M Retail Ltd Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 March 2024 |
| ARTs Catering Other catering premises | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 November 2025 |
Questions about Bal's Wines
What is Bal's Wines's food hygiene rating?
Bal's Wines has a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5 (good), given by Sandwell Council on 18 May 2023.
Is Bal's Wines safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 4 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this shop to be good, the top end of the scale.
When was Bal's Wines last inspected?
Bal's Wines was last inspected on 18 May 2023, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Sandwell Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Bal's Wines?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "generally satisfactory", and confidence in the management of food safety "generally satisfactory". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Bal's Wines compare to other places in Sandwell?
66% of the 2,350 rated food businesses in Sandwell hold the top rating of 5, while Bal's Wines holds a 4. 513 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
Sandwell Council inspects Bal's Wines 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 Bal's Wines 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
Bal's Wines is one of 512 rated food businesses in West Bromwich. See every hygiene rating in West Bromwich →
Sandwell inspects and rates 2,676 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Sandwell →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/foodratings
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 →