Johns of Instow food hygiene rating
Takeaway/sandwich shop · North Devon
Johns of Instow holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the takeaway met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 19 August 2013, more than 12 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: Slipway Kiosk, Marine Parade, Instow, EX39 4JP
How it compares in North Devon
That puts Johns of Instow among the 1,107 places in North Devon holding top marks, 84% 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 | 1,107 | 84% | ← Johns of Instow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 129 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 42 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 15 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 21 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 3 | <1% |
A further 150 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 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 Johns of Instow 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 Johns of Instow, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commodore Hotel Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 190 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 February 2025 |
| Johns Deli Mobile Mobile caterer | 195 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 May 2025 |
| Johns of Instow Retailers - other | 195 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 June 2025 |
| Appledore Flame Factory Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 February 2025 |
| Johns Of Appledore Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 February 2026 |
| Jack Sprats Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 February 2026 |
| Market Street Kitchen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 November 2024 |
| Devon And Cornwall Fish Company Ltd Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 September 2025 |
Questions about Johns of Instow
What is Johns of Instow's food hygiene rating?
Johns of Instow has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by North Devon Council on 19 August 2013.
Is Johns of Instow 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 takeaway to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Johns of Instow last inspected?
Johns of Instow was last inspected on 19 August 2013, more than 12 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by North Devon Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Johns of Instow?
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 "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Johns of Instow compare to other places in North Devon?
84% of the 1,317 rated food businesses in North Devon hold the top rating of 5, and Johns of Instow is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
North Devon Council inspects Johns of Instow 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 Johns of Instow and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Johns of Instow is one of 20 rated food businesses in Bideford. See every hygiene rating in Bideford →
North Devon inspects and rates 1,467 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in North Devon →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northdevon.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 →