The areas across London that score highest and lowest for their food hygiene ratings have been revealed, thanks to a report from online training provider High Speed Training.
- Compared to other UK region’s, London has the lowest average food hygiene rating in the UK, averaging 4.36.
- Kensington and Chelsea has the highest rating of all the London Boroughs with an average of 4.80.
- Waltham Forest has the lowest rating of London boroughs, with an average rating of 3.74, down 0.03 from 2023.
- If London boroughs were counted as separate towns, one would claim each of the three bottom spots in the country – Barking and Dagenham: 3.95, Ealing: 3.92, Waltham Forest: 3.74.
- Redbridge has the highest average rating increase in London from 2023, improving its rating by 0.14 to 4.38 climbing to 13th in the region in the process.
- Westminster placed 11th with an average rating of 4.43 coming from over 3,700 establishments.
- The number of rated premises in the region rose from 34,961 in 2023 to 35,832 in 2024.
- Top three areas: Kensington and Chelsea, City of London, Merton
- Bottom three areas: Barking & Dagenham, Ealing, Waltham Forest
- Link to report with interactive map
The areas across London 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 over 215,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, found that across London, the average food hygiene rating across all food establishments was 4.36 from almost 36,000 premises, which places the region BOTTOM of the national rankings.
A similar report run in 2023 by High Speed Training calculated London’s score at 4.34, showing that food hygiene standards have improved slightly across the city in recent years.
The top spot in London went to Kensington and Chelsea, with an impressive average score of 4.80 from over 1000 premises, which would place them joint 7th in the national rankings for towns and cities.
The biggest improver in London was Redbridge, who improved their rating by 0.14 to 4.38, placing them joint 13th in the citywide rankings.
No area of London’s rating fell more than Hillingdon, who lost 0.17 off their rating in 2023, falling to 4.24 and placing 17th for areas across the city.
The lowest average rating in London went to Waltham Forest, with an average score of 3.74, meaning that, if they were classed as a town, it would rank bottom in the national rankings.
In fact, if London boroughs were counted as separate towns, one would claim 3 of the bottom spots in the country – Barking & Dagenham: 3.95, Ealing: 3.92, Waltham Forest: 3.74.
High Speed Training’s report also found that almost 1 in 4 takeaways (23%) across London scored 3 or below for their food hygiene rating, and that 82% of premises held a 4 or a 5 for their rating. 92% of Hotel’s, BandBs and guest houses, and 83% of restaurants and cafes scored a 4 or a 5 for their rating.
The report also found that 186 premises across London scored a zero, and 802 scored a one on their food hygiene rating.
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.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training comments: “Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses. Recently, we have seen many high profile cases of food poisoning and illnesses caused by food-borne bacteria.
“This is why food hygiene ratings are so important – they are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates and are of critical importance to consumers.
“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, which ultimately have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.”
“Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have improved from 2023. This commitment to correct food hygiene training for staff, alongside robust food management procedures and everyday good practices are crucial to keep performing at high standards.
“We would also urge customers to check the food hygiene ratings of establishments they wish to dine at, so that an informed call as to whether you eat there can be made.”
High Speed Training
High Speed Training is a leading online training provider, dedicated to empowering learners in the workplace and beyond. They make compliance and learning simple, straightforward and engaging by delivering accredited digital training that helps people to be engaged, effective and safe.
With over 3 million learners supported to date, High Speed Training works with industry experts and specialists to provide up-to-date thinking and relevant, useful knowledge and deliver practical and user-friendly learning content across all devices.
Founded in 2008, the Yorkshire-based company delivers more than 170 specialist courses for the professional services, hospitality, food manufacture, logistics, education, construction, and health and social care sectors, as well as covering topics including health and safety, food hygiene, risk and compliance management, safeguarding, personal development and core skills.
Since 2023, High Speed training has been an employee-owned trust, and is now wholly owned by its employees, enabling staff to have a financial and directional say in how the business operates.
The company is a registered B Corp, a certification ensuring that businesses meet high standards of social and environmental impact, focusing on a company’s approach to its governance, customers, environment and communities.
In 2023, High Speed Training won the Learning Technologies Organisation of the Year award, and won the First Class E-Learning Large Provider of the Year award from the ROyal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in 2023 and 2024.
All of High Speed Training’s courses meet Continuing Professional Development guidelines and are accredited by the CPD Certification Service. All of their online courses are independently checked and approved by recognised authorities such as CPD, RoSPA, IATP, IIRSM and the Institute of Hospitality.
High Speed Training is officially endorsed by Skills for Care, the strategic body for workforce development in social care in England and a delivery partner for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Skills for Care endorsement is a trusted quality mark only awarded to the best learning and development providers within the social care sector.
In 2023, High Speed Training placed 4th in the Best Education and Training organisations in the UK to work for, 14th in the Yorkshire and Humberside Best Companies to work for and 25th in the Top 50 Best Mid Sized companies to work for in the UK.