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South West, ranked 1st among all 11 regions, has the highest rating of 4.69 — an increase of 0.02 from 2025 (4.67).
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London, ranked 10th among all 11 regions, has the lowest rating of 4.39 — an increase of 0.01 from 2025 (4.38).
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Wales (4.51) had the biggest year-on-year improvement in average rating across the country with an increase of 0.04. Its average rating in 2025 was 4.47.
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19.50% of takeaways and sandwich shops across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland scored a 0, 1, 2, or 3.
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Across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 501 premises scored a 0, and 3,309 premises scored a 1.
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The total number of premises scoring a 0, 1, 2, or 3 was 25,503.
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88.31% of all premises across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland scored a 4 or a 5.
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89.44% of restaurants, cafes, and canteens across the country scored a 4 or a 5.
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Overall national change (England, Wales & Northern Ireland): 2026: 4.57 – 2025: 4.56
The towns, cities and regions across the UK 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 almost 240,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, found that across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the average food hygiene rating from analysed businesses was 4.57.
A similar report run in 2025 by High Speed Training calculated the score at 4.56, showing that food hygiene standards have slightly improved in recent years, with 88% of businesses scoring a 4 or 5, and 72% scooping top marks.
The top-scoring region was the South West, with an average rating of 4.69 from over 21,000 premises. This was followed by the North East (4.66), Northern Ireland (4.65) and the East Midlands (4.64). The 2025 report placed the South West top (4.67), with the North East and Northern Ireland joint second (both 4.64), and the East Midlands fourth (4.63).
Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, 501 premises scored a zero, with 25,503 (11.7%) premises scoring a 3 or below. The most common rating scored by businesses was 5, with 72% of all premises across England, Northern Ireland and Wales scoring top marks.
London had the lowest average rating in the study, as it did in 2025, with a score of 4.39. However, London had by far the most establishments, with almost 37,000 premises contributing to the rating. The capital also increased its rating from 2025, by 0.01.
The East Counties town of Ipswich and North West seaside town Southport topped the individual rankings, with a highly impressive 4.92 out of 5, closely followed by Chichester (4.91), Stockton-on-Tees (4.86), and Lincoln (4.85).
The bottom three towns were Bolton (4.03), Walsall (4.03) and Wigan (4.06).
However, if London boroughs were counted as separate towns, they would claim the three bottom spots in the country – Ealing: 3.91, Newham: 3.94, Waltham Forest: 3.97.
The biggest improver was Salisbury (4.66), which improved its rating by 0.19, placing it 19th in the overall rankings. The biggest faller was Burton upon Trent (4.39), which saw its rating drop by a UK-wide high of 0.30, placing it 42nd in the overall rankings.
High Speed Training’s report also found that 1 in 5 takeaways (19.5%) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland scored a 3 or below for their food hygiene rating.
In big cities, this number rose significantly. In Birmingham (37%), Liverpool (37%), and Manchester (26%), the numbers were noticeably higher.
All in all, 501 premises scored a 0, and 3,309 scored just a 1 for their rating.
High Speed Training’s report is now in its 5th consecutive year, and over this time, average ratings across England, Wales and Northern Ireland 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.
The only region to record a drop in average rating over the 5-year period was Northern Ireland, dropping by 0.04, though it is worth noting that Northern Ireland has been a strong performer in the context of all the regions analysed, taking the top region spot twice and never dropping out of the top 3 since 2022.
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 an 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 click here