Russells food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Antrim and Newtownabbey
Russells 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 18 August 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: 20 The Square, Ballyclare, Ballyclare, BT39 9BB
How it compares in Antrim and Newtownabbey
That puts Russells among the 849 places in Antrim and Newtownabbey 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 | 849 | 87% | ← Russells | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 97 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 32 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 2 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 1 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 116 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 Russells 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 Russells, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay Square Takeaway/sandwich shop | at this address | 5 - Very good | 18 September 2025 |
| Domino's Pizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | at this address | 5 - Very good | 29 June 2026 |
| Pots of Coffee and Pots of Pleasure Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 31 October 2024 |
| Bally Busters Takeaway/sandwich shop | at this address | 4 - Good | 2 March 2026 |
| The Grange Bar Pub/bar/nightclub | at this address | 4 - Good | 7 August 2023 |
| Johnny whites fish and chip shop Takeaway/sandwich shop | 55 yards away | 4 - Good | 25 February 2026 |
| Home Bargains Retailers - other | 103 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 February 2024 |
| Mauds at Caffe 3 Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 103 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 February 2026 |
Questions about Russells
What is Russells's food hygiene rating?
Russells has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council on 18 August 2023.
Is Russells 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 Russells last inspected?
Russells was last inspected on 18 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Russells?
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 Russells compare to other places in Antrim and Newtownabbey?
87% of the 981 rated food businesses in Antrim and Newtownabbey hold the top rating of 5, and Russells is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council inspects Russells 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 Russells and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Russells is one of 849 rated food businesses in Antrim. See every hygiene rating in Antrim →
Antrim and Newtownabbey inspects and rates 1,097 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Antrim and Newtownabbey →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.antrimandnewtownabbey.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 →