Doncaster has 9th worst food hygiene ratings of England's big cities

Doncaster has the ninth worst food hygiene ratings of England's big cities, new figures show.

The city made the top ten of the country’s 30 largest cities, according to new analysis of Food Standards Agency data.

Of its 2,589 rated food businesses, 5.0% are rated 2 or below, against 3.1% across England, and 10 are on a zero rating.

The city centre's DN1 postcode district has the most low ratings: 10.1% of its 416 rated food businesses are rated 2 or below, about six times the rate in DN6 (1.8%).

Takeaways are the weakest kind of business - 10.6% of Doncaster's takeaways and sandwich shops are rated 2 or below, against 5.8% across England.

A fifth of the city's ratings (21%) are more than two years old.

Food hygiene ratings run from 0 to 5.

Inspectors score how food is handled and stored, the condition of the kitchen and its equipment, and how the business manages food safety.

A rating of 2 or below means improvement is necessary, and a zero means urgent improvement is necessary.

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Richard Barker, co-founder of Cairn Catering Engineers, said: "A low rating isn't always about a dirty kitchen.

“Fridges that won't hold their temperature, broken probes and missing temperature records all cost marks, and most of it is quick to put right before the inspector calls."

“Anyone can check a business's rating on the Food Standards Agency website, http://ratings.food.gov.uk, or look for the green and black sticker in its window.

The figures, compiled by Cairn Catering Engineers from Food Standards Agency data, are as of 9 November 2026 and update every Monday.

Every Doncaster postcode and type of business is listed at https://cairncateringengineers.co.uk/food-hygiene-ratings/doncaster