The Shark Public House food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Harlow
The Shark Public House 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 30 March 2017, more than 9 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: Hobtoe Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1TH
How it compares in Harlow
That puts The Shark Public House among the 497 places in Harlow 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 | 497 | 81% | ← The Shark Public House | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 78 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 25 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 5 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 76 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very 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 The Shark Public House 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 The Shark Public House, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 June 2025 |
| Essex Partnership University Trust - Derwent Centre Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 August 2025 |
| Canons Brook Golf Club House Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 February 2025 |
| Buzzee Beez Pre-School Ltd Caring Premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 April 2018 |
| ESSO Petrol Station Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 March 2021 |
| Dixy Chicken Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 November 2024 |
| Anamorava Coffee Shop Ltd Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 October 2025 |
| Brinchi Steak House Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 February 2025 |
Questions about The Shark Public House
What is The Shark Public House's food hygiene rating?
The Shark Public House has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Harlow Council on 30 March 2017.
Is The Shark Public House 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 The Shark Public House last inspected?
The Shark Public House was last inspected on 30 March 2017, more than 9 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Harlow Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Shark Public House?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Shark Public House compare to other places in Harlow?
81% of the 611 rated food businesses in Harlow hold the top rating of 5, and The Shark Public House is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Harlow Council inspects The Shark Public House 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 The Shark Public House and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Harlow inspects and rates 687 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Harlow →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.harlow.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 →