5

Borough Off Licence food hygiene rating

Retailers - other · Sunderland

Borough Off Licence 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 11 March 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: New Shop Unit, Smyrna Place, Sunderland, SR1 2HY

How it compares in Sunderland

That puts Borough Off Licence among the 1,634 places in Sunderland 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.

Every rated food business in Sunderland
5 out of 5 1,634 84% ← Borough Off Licence
4 out of 5 192 10%
3 out of 5 74 4%
2 out of 5 20 1%
1 out of 5 23 1%
0 out of 5 2 <1%

A further 366 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.

What the inspector found

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 Borough Off Licence 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 Borough Off Licence, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.

Business Distance Rating Inspected
Albert's Place Takeaway/sandwich shop 0.3 miles away 5 - Very good 30 January 2023
Bar Justice Pub/bar/nightclub 0.3 miles away 5 - Very good 3 March 2020
Achakili Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen 0.3 miles away 5 - Very good 6 November 2025
Booker Cash & Carry Ltd Distributors/Transporters 0.3 miles away 5 - Very good 12 May 2023
21 Social Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen 0.4 miles away 5 - Very good 26 November 2025
Amy's Winehouse Retailers - other 0.4 miles away 5 - Very good 14 October 2024
Ashwood Court Caring Premises 0.4 miles away 5 - Very good 17 November 2025
Ashbrooke Home Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen 0.4 miles away 5 - Very good 25 October 2025

Questions about Borough Off Licence

What is Borough Off Licence's food hygiene rating?

Borough Off Licence has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Sunderland Council on 11 March 2024.

Is Borough Off Licence 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 Borough Off Licence last inspected?

Borough Off Licence was last inspected on 11 March 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Sunderland Council rather than by the business.

What did the inspector find at Borough Off Licence?

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 Borough Off Licence compare to other places in Sunderland?

84% of the 1,945 rated food businesses in Sunderland hold the top rating of 5, and Borough Off Licence is one of them.

Who decides the rating?

Sunderland Council inspects Borough Off Licence 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 Borough Off Licence 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

Sunderland inspects and rates 2,311 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Sunderland

The official record is held by the council: http://www.sunderland.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 →