Friars Convenience Store food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Reading
Friars Convenience Store 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 7 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: 136-137 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EX
How it compares in Reading
That puts Friars Convenience Store among the 881 places in Reading holding top marks, 65% 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 | 881 | 65% | ← Friars Convenience Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 248 | 18% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 148 | 11% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 39 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 41 | 3% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 5 | <1% |
A further 155 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 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 Friars Convenience Store 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 Friars Convenience Store, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sheep Coffee Takeaway/sandwich shop | 69 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 79 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 August 2025 |
| 7 Flowers & Tea Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 130 yards away | 5 - Very good | 7 March 2019 |
| Boom Battle Bar Pub/bar/nightclub | 141 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 April 2026 |
| Anonymous Coffee Co at Thames Tower Takeaway/sandwich shop | 162 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 September 2025 |
| Cafe Local Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 193 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 August 2025 |
| AKA BBQ Station Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 248 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 January 2025 |
| Caffe Nero Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 258 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 September 2025 |
Questions about Friars Convenience Store
What is Friars Convenience Store's food hygiene rating?
Friars Convenience Store has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Reading Council on 7 September 2023.
Is Friars Convenience Store 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 Friars Convenience Store last inspected?
Friars Convenience Store was last inspected on 7 September 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Reading Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Friars Convenience Store?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Friars Convenience Store compare to other places in Reading?
65% of the 1,362 rated food businesses in Reading hold the top rating of 5, and Friars Convenience Store is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Reading Council inspects Friars Convenience Store 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 Friars Convenience Store and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Reading inspects and rates 1,517 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Reading →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.reading.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 →