G and VAM Downing food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · East Suffolk
G and VAM Downing 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 24 July 2012, more than 13 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: Bridge Farm, Halesworth Road, Chediston, IP19 0AR
How it compares in East Suffolk
That puts G and VAM Downing among the 1,994 places in East Suffolk holding top marks, 86% 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 | 1,994 | 86% | ← G and VAM Downing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 213 | 9% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 71 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 22 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 17 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 201 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 G and VAM Downing 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 G and VAM Downing, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Farm Vineyards Retailers - other | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 May 2017 |
| Beech House Caring Premises | 1.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 May 2026 |
| Halesworth Day Nursery Caring Premises | 1.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 December 2025 |
| Istanbul Kebabs Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.7 miles away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 25 September 2025 |
| Market Place Artisan Store Retailers - other | 1.7 miles away | Exempt | |
| Allens Butchers Retailers - other | 1.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 August 2025 |
| Golden House Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 May 2024 |
| Halesworth Community Larder Retailers - other | 1.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 January 2022 |
Questions about G and VAM Downing
What is G and VAM Downing's food hygiene rating?
G and VAM Downing has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by East Suffolk Council on 24 July 2012.
Is G and VAM Downing 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 G and VAM Downing last inspected?
G and VAM Downing was last inspected on 24 July 2012, more than 13 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by East Suffolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at G and VAM Downing?
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 G and VAM Downing compare to other places in East Suffolk?
86% of the 2,318 rated food businesses in East Suffolk hold the top rating of 5, and G and VAM Downing is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
East Suffolk Council inspects G and VAM Downing 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 G and VAM Downing and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
East Suffolk inspects and rates 2,519 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in East Suffolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eastsuffolk.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 →