The Old Gaol food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Denbighshire
The Old Gaol 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 15 May 2019, more than 7 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: Visitor Attraction The Old Gaol 46 Clwyd Street, Ruthin, LL15 1HP
How it compares in Denbighshire
That puts The Old Gaol among the 815 places in Denbighshire 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 | 815 | 81% | ← The Old Gaol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 116 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 57 | 6% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 14 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 140 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 Old Gaol 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 Old Gaol, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| The star Pub/bar/nightclub | 69 yards away | Awaiting inspection | |
| Finns Fish And Chip Takeaway/sandwich shop | 74 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 September 2025 |
| Ruthin Pizzas Takeaway/sandwich shop | 74 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 February 2025 |
| John Jones And Sons Butchers Retailers - other | 74 yards away | 4 - Good | 18 September 2025 |
| Becws Islyn Rhuthun Manufacturers/packers | 103 yards away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 29 January 2025 |
| SGN Retail Ruthin Retailers - other | 107 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 July 2025 |
| Trosnant Care Home Ltd Caring Premises | 107 yards away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 12 January 2026 |
| The Boars Head Pub/bar/nightclub | 130 yards away | Awaiting inspection |
Questions about The Old Gaol
What is The Old Gaol's food hygiene rating?
The Old Gaol has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Denbighshire Council on 15 May 2019.
Is The Old Gaol 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 The Old Gaol last inspected?
The Old Gaol was last inspected on 15 May 2019, more than 7 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Denbighshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Old Gaol?
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 Old Gaol compare to other places in Denbighshire?
81% of the 1,009 rated food businesses in Denbighshire hold the top rating of 5, and The Old Gaol is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Denbighshire Council inspects The Old Gaol 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 Old Gaol and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Old Gaol is one of 113 rated food businesses in Ruthin. See every hygiene rating in Ruthin →
Denbighshire inspects and rates 1,149 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Denbighshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.denbighshire.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 →