Southern Co-op (0334) food hygiene rating
Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Exeter City
Southern Co-op (0334) holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the supermarket met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 27 September 2023, 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: 103 Buddle Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1QT
How it compares in Exeter City
That puts Southern Co-op (0334) among the 870 places in Exeter City holding top marks, 87% 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 | 870 | 87% | ← Southern Co-op (0334) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 88 | 9% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 30 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 111 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 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 Southern Co-op (0334) 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 Southern Co-op (0334), nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borderlands BBQ Mobile caterer | 418 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 April 2025 |
| Aspens Services Ltd @ Montgomery School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 January 2026 |
| Bowhill Primary School School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 June 2025 |
| Authentic Greek Food Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 September 2024 |
| Co-op Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 February 2026 |
| Boulder Exe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 February 2026 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 January 2019 |
| Burger King Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 November 2024 |
Questions about Southern Co-op (0334)
What is Southern Co-op (0334)'s food hygiene rating?
Southern Co-op (0334) has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Exeter City Council on 27 September 2023.
Is Southern Co-op (0334) 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 supermarket to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Southern Co-op (0334) last inspected?
Southern Co-op (0334) was last inspected on 27 September 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Exeter City Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Southern Co-op (0334)?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 Southern Co-op (0334) compare to other places in Exeter City?
87% of the 999 rated food businesses in Exeter City hold the top rating of 5, and Southern Co-op (0334) is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Exeter City Council inspects Southern Co-op (0334) 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 Southern Co-op (0334) and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Exeter City inspects and rates 1,110 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Exeter City →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.exeter.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 →