The Dickens food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Southend-On-Sea
The Dickens 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 18 May 2022, more than 4 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: Dickens Public House, High Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1LH
How it compares in Southend-On-Sea
That puts The Dickens among the 973 places in Southend-On-Sea holding top marks, 70% 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 | 973 | 70% | ← The Dickens | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 243 | 18% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 119 | 9% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 35 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 16 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 105 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 The Dickens 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 Dickens, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atrium Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 138 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 November 2025 |
| Big News Retailers - other | 149 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 February 2025 |
| Caffe Nero Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 163 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 September 2022 |
| Aroma Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 185 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 April 2025 |
| Big News 5 Retailers - other | 208 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 April 2024 |
| Burger King Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 241 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 December 2024 |
| Cafe Munchies Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 258 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 April 2025 |
| Aloha Lounge Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 266 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 April 2025 |
Questions about The Dickens
What is The Dickens's food hygiene rating?
The Dickens has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Southend-On-Sea Council on 18 May 2022.
Is The Dickens 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 Dickens last inspected?
The Dickens was last inspected on 18 May 2022, more than 4 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Southend-On-Sea Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Dickens?
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 The Dickens compare to other places in Southend-On-Sea?
70% of the 1,387 rated food businesses in Southend-On-Sea hold the top rating of 5, and The Dickens is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Southend-On-Sea Council inspects The Dickens 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 Dickens and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Southend-On-Sea inspects and rates 1,492 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Southend-On-Sea →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.southend.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 →