Red Lion Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Gateshead
Red Lion Inn holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 21 November 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: Red Lion Inn, Durham Road, Birtley, DH3 1LS
How it compares in Gateshead
That puts Red Lion Inn among the 1,170 places in Gateshead holding top marks, 81% 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 | 1,170 | 81% | ← Red Lion Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 197 | 14% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 58 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 1 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 10 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 202 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 Red Lion Inn 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 Red Lion Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birtley Branch Library Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 170 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 December 2023 |
| Birtley Community Association Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 212 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 October 2025 |
| Birtley Community Fridge Retailers - other | 231 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 October 2024 |
| Bumble Bees School/college/university | 231 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 October 2025 |
| Benelli's Takeaway/sandwich shop | 241 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 May 2025 |
| China Chef Takeaway/sandwich shop | 242 yards away | 5 - Very good | 7 August 2025 |
| Birtley Buffs Pub/bar/nightclub | 329 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 October 2025 |
| Casa Rosa Takeaway/sandwich shop | 338 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 February 2026 |
Questions about Red Lion Inn
What is Red Lion Inn's food hygiene rating?
Red Lion Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Gateshead Council on 21 November 2023.
Is Red Lion Inn 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 pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Red Lion Inn last inspected?
Red Lion Inn was last inspected on 21 November 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Gateshead Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Red Lion Inn?
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 Red Lion Inn compare to other places in Gateshead?
81% of the 1,436 rated food businesses in Gateshead hold the top rating of 5, and Red Lion Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Gateshead Council inspects Red Lion Inn 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 Red Lion Inn 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
Red Lion Inn is one of 102 rated food businesses in Birtley. See every hygiene rating in Birtley →
Gateshead inspects and rates 1,638 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Gateshead →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.gateshead.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 →