Food hygiene ratings: The best and worst places in the North West

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

The report, which analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for almost 240,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, found that in the North West, the average food hygiene rating across all food establishments was 4.48 from 27,070 premises, which places the region 8th in the national rankings.

The report analysed food establishments in four categories: Restaurants/Cafes/Canteens, Takeaways/Sandwich Shops, Pubs/Bars/Nightclubs and Hotels/Bed & Breakfasts/Guest Houses. After filtering, if a business did not have a current rating or an inspection result then the entry was omitted from the analysis.

A similar report run in 2025 by High Speed Training also calculated the North West’s score at 4.48, showing that food hygiene standards have remained consistent across the region.

The top spot in the North West went to Southport, with an impressive average score of 4.92 from over 400 premises, placing them joint 1st in the national rankings for towns and cities.

The biggest improver in the region was Burnley, which increased their rating by 0.16 from 2025, placing them 8th in the North West.

The lowest average rating in the region went to Bolton, with an average score of 4.03, meaning they rank joint 55th in the national rankings.

High Speed Training’s report also found that 24.30% of takeaways across the region scored 3 or below for their food hygiene rating, and that 86.09% of premises scored a 4 or a 5 on their rating, including 88.14% of restaurants and cafes. The most common rating scored by businesses was 5, with 69.15% of all premises across the North West scoring top marks.

Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Ipswich and Southport were the highest rated towns, scoring averages of 4.92, whilst the South West took the top regional spot, scoring an average of 4.69.

High Speed Training’s report is now in its 5th consecutive year, and over this time, average ratings have increased, from an average of 4.49 in 2022 to 4.58 in 2026. The average rating rose each year, apart from 2024, when it fell slightly to 4.47.

All but one of the analysed regions improved their rating from 2022 to 2026, with the West Midlands and the North East sharing the biggest increase in average rating, a rise of 0.10. Between 2022 and 2026, the North West increased its average food hygiene rating from 4.41 to 4.48. 

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that was launched in 2010. 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.

Dr Richard Anderson, Director of Learning at High Speed Training, said: “Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them. Over the last 5 years, we have seen trends broadly improve across the whole of the UK, which is a really positive sign. These ratings are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates, and we urge businesses and customers to take them seriously.

“For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point. However, establishments with a low hygiene rating can be extremely off-putting for customers, and may have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.”

“Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have improved from 2025. This commitment to correct food hygiene training for staff, alongside robust food management procedures and everyday good practices are crucial to not only performing well as a business, but attracting and retaining customers.

“We would urge customers to always check the food hygiene ratings of establishments they wish to dine at, as it allows them to make an informed decision when choosing where to eat.”

To view the report in full, and to see how your area compares to others, please visit https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/food-hygiene-ratings-report/