The Head of Steam food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Durham
The Head of Steam holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 9 April 2024, more than 2 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: 3 Reform Place North Road, Durham, DH1 4RZ
How it compares in Durham
That puts The Head of Steam among the 3,088 places in Durham holding top marks, 75% 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 | 3,088 | 75% | ← The Head of Steam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 676 | 16% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 285 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 50 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 22 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 517 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 Good
- How well they manage food safety 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 The Head of Steam 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 The Head of Steam, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crush Pub/bar/nightclub | 15 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 October 2024 |
| Babylon Pub/bar/nightclub | 42 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 September 2022 |
| Admiral Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 50 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 June 2024 |
| 3 of Cups Durham Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 100 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 February 2025 |
| Durham City Workmens Club and Institute Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 105 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 July 2019 |
| Collected Books Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 116 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 April 2026 |
| Brooklyn Pizza Slice Takeaway/sandwich shop | 127 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 July 2025 |
| Cosy Club Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 133 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 March 2025 |
Questions about The Head of Steam
What is The Head of Steam's food hygiene rating?
The Head of Steam has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Durham Council on 9 April 2024.
Is The Head of Steam 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 pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Head of Steam last inspected?
The Head of Steam was last inspected on 9 April 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Durham Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Head of Steam?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Head of Steam compare to other places in Durham?
75% of the 4,123 rated food businesses in Durham hold the top rating of 5, and The Head of Steam is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Durham Council inspects The Head of Steam 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 The Head of Steam and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Durham inspects and rates 4,640 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Durham →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.durham.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 →