Black Swan food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Darlington
Black Swan 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 11 July 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: Black Swan Hotel, Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RX
How it compares in Darlington
That puts Black Swan among the 755 places in Darlington 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 | 755 | 90% | ← Black Swan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 48 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 19 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 79 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 Very 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 Black Swan 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 Black Swan, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baanrai Thai Cafe And Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 100 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 May 2026 |
| Cafe Local Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 320 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 September 2023 |
| Bank Top Bakery Other catering premises | 325 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 April 2026 |
| China Dragon Takeaway/sandwich shop | 332 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 November 2024 |
| Boot And Shoe Pub/bar/nightclub | 428 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 February 2025 |
| B & H Chippy / B & H Punjabi Curry House Takeaway/sandwich shop | 435 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 May 2025 |
| Bubble \& Cone Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 May 2024 |
| Bannatynes Health And Leisure Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 August 2024 |
Questions about Black Swan
What is Black Swan's food hygiene rating?
Black Swan has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Darlington Council on 11 July 2023.
Is Black Swan 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 Black Swan last inspected?
Black Swan was last inspected on 11 July 2023, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Darlington Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Black Swan?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Black Swan compare to other places in Darlington?
90% of the 836 rated food businesses in Darlington hold the top rating of 5, and Black Swan is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Darlington Council inspects Black Swan 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 Black Swan and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Darlington inspects and rates 915 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Darlington →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.darlington.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 →