Independent Food & Drink food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Northumberland
Independent Food & Drink 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 16 March 2020, more than 6 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: 34 Main Street, North Sunderland, Northumberland, NE68 7RQ
How it compares in Northumberland
That puts Independent Food & Drink among the 2,775 places in Northumberland holding top marks, 90% 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 | 2,775 | 90% | ← Independent Food & Drink | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 214 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 67 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 8 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 393 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 Independent Food & Drink 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 Independent Food & Drink, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trotters Family Bakers Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 3 June 2026 |
| Lewis's Fish Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 4 - Good | 10 February 2026 |
| Indian Brasserie NE Ltd Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 10 December 2025 |
| Corklee News Retailers - other | at this address | Awaiting inspection | |
| Sin City Desserts Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | Awaiting inspection | |
| Mary Mary BK8 Farmers/growers | at this address | Exempt | |
| National Trust Shop Retailers - other | at this address | Exempt | |
| The Bunker Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 54 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 February 2025 |
Questions about Independent Food & Drink
What is Independent Food & Drink's food hygiene rating?
Independent Food & Drink has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Northumberland Council on 16 March 2020.
Is Independent Food & Drink 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 Independent Food & Drink last inspected?
Independent Food & Drink was last inspected on 16 March 2020, more than 6 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Northumberland Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Independent Food & Drink?
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 Independent Food & Drink compare to other places in Northumberland?
90% of the 3,073 rated food businesses in Northumberland hold the top rating of 5, and Independent Food & Drink is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Northumberland Council inspects Independent Food & Drink 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 Independent Food & Drink 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
Independent Food & Drink is one of 24 rated food businesses in North Sunderland. See every hygiene rating in North Sunderland →
Northumberland inspects and rates 3,466 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Northumberland →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northumberland.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 →