The towns and cities across The South West that score highest and lowest for their food hygiene ratings have been revealed, thanks to a report from Ilkley-based online training provider High Speed Training.

Bournemouth has the highest rating in the South West region with an average of 4.81.
Exeter loses its top spot from 2023, slipping to 3rd with an average rating of 4.75
Bath has the lowest average rating in the region, with a rating of 4.36.
The largest city in the region, Bristol, placed 6th with an average rating of 4.6.

92% of premises in the region scored a 4 or 5 for their rating.
The number of rated premises in the region fell slightly, from 7,137 in 2023 to 6,977 in 2024.
Overall region change: 2023: 4.66 – 2024: 4.66

Top three towns/cities: Bournemouth, Poole, Exeter
Bottom three towns/cities: Weston-Super-Mare, Salisbury, Bath

The towns and cities across The South West that score highest and lowest for their food hygiene ratings have been revealed, thanks to a report from leading online training provider High Speed Training.

The report, which analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for over 215,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, found that in the South West, the average food hygiene rating across all food establishments was 4.66 from over 21,000 premises, which places the region top of the national rankings.

A similar report run in 2023 by High Speed Training calculated the South West’s score at 4.66, showing that high food hygiene standards have been maintained across the region in recent years.

The top spot in the region went to Bournemouth, with an impressive average score of 4.81 from over 900 premises, also placing them joint 6th in the national rankings for towns and cities. Bournemouth increased its score by 0.04 from 2023.

Exeter, which topped the region’s rankings in 2023, fell to third place, losing 0.04 with a rating of 4.75. The lowest average rating in the region went to Bath, with an average score of 4.36 from over 400 premises. Bath also placed lowest in the region in 2023.

The biggest city in the region, Bristol, scored 4.60 on average, from over 2,000 premises.

High Speed Training’s report also found that 13% of takeaways across the South West scored a 3 and below on their food hygiene rating, and that 20 premises across the region received a zero.

Promisingly, 92% of all premises, and 93% of restaurants, cafes and canteens, scoring a 4 or a 5.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to provide customers with information as to how well a business is upholding food hygiene and safety standards.

Following regular inspections, ratings are devised based on the standard of food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises and facilities and food safety management practices.

These ratings are then made available on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website and are usually visible from outside of the premises, often presented in a window near the entrance.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, it is compulsory for businesses to display their food hygiene rating. However, in England it is currently just considered best practice.