Downies vaults food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Ceredigion
Downies vaults 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 27 September 2010, more than 15 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: Downies Vaults 33 Eastgate, Aberystwyth, SY23 2AR
How it compares in Ceredigion
That puts Downies vaults among the 688 places in Ceredigion holding top marks, 72% 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 | 688 | 72% | ← Downies vaults | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 165 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 60 | 6% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 23 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 132 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 Downies vaults 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 Downies vaults, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chives Sandwich Bar Takeaway/sandwich shop | at this address | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2026 |
| Harleys Pub/bar/nightclub | at this address | 5 - Very good | 5 September 2024 |
| Light of Asia ltd Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 15 November 2024 |
| Aberystwyth Masonic Social Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 61 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 September 2025 |
| Alfred Place Baptist Church Other catering premises | 74 yards away | 5 - Very good | 1 February 2017 |
| Greggs PLC Retailers - other | 85 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 March 2025 |
| New Look Retailers - other | 88 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 December 2012 |
| hollywoodpizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | 100 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 June 2026 |
Questions about Downies vaults
What is Downies vaults's food hygiene rating?
Downies vaults has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Ceredigion Council on 27 September 2010.
Is Downies vaults 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 Downies vaults last inspected?
Downies vaults was last inspected on 27 September 2010, more than 15 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Ceredigion Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Downies vaults?
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 Downies vaults compare to other places in Ceredigion?
72% of the 949 rated food businesses in Ceredigion hold the top rating of 5, and Downies vaults is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Ceredigion Council inspects Downies vaults 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 Downies vaults and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Downies vaults is one of 242 rated food businesses in Aberystwyth. See every hygiene rating in Aberystwyth →
Ceredigion inspects and rates 1,081 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Ceredigion →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.ceredigion.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 →