South Downs Cellars food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Mid Sussex
South Downs Cellars 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
This is a fresh result: South Downs Cellars was inspected on 27 May 2026, so the rating reflects what the inspector found very recently.
Address: South Downs Cellars, 100 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PX
How it compares in Mid Sussex
That puts South Downs Cellars among the 1,031 places in Mid Sussex 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 | 1,031 | 83% | ← South Downs Cellars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 127 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 59 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 14 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 16 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 116 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 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 South Downs Cellars 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 South Downs Cellars, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hop Tub Brewing Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 35 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 March 2026 |
| Chinese Gardens Takeaway/sandwich shop | 63 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 May 2024 |
| Fuel Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 76 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 October 2025 |
| Iris Bakery Retailers - other | 125 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 May 2025 |
| Cottis Pre School Caring Premises | 177 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2025 |
| Be: Dog Limited Takeaway/sandwich shop | 249 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2023 |
| Lyona Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 266 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 January 2025 |
| Hurstpierpoint Pre School Caring Premises | 294 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 November 2025 |
Questions about South Downs Cellars
What is South Downs Cellars's food hygiene rating?
South Downs Cellars has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Mid Sussex Council on 27 May 2026.
Is South Downs Cellars 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 South Downs Cellars last inspected?
South Downs Cellars was last inspected on 27 May 2026, a month ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Mid Sussex Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at South Downs Cellars?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "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 South Downs Cellars compare to other places in Mid Sussex?
83% of the 1,248 rated food businesses in Mid Sussex hold the top rating of 5, and South Downs Cellars is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Mid Sussex Council inspects South Downs Cellars 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 South Downs Cellars and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
South Downs Cellars is one of 100 rated food businesses in Hassocks. See every hygiene rating in Hassocks →
Mid Sussex inspects and rates 1,364 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Mid Sussex →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.midsussex.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 →