Southport has been named the best-performing town in the UK for food hygiene ratings, according to a new analysis of Food Standards Agency data published ahead of the festive season.
The 2025 report, produced by online training provider High Speed Training, places the North West seaside town at the top of a UK-wide league table with an average score of 4.95 out of 5 across 384 premises.
The analysis coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), with consumers encouraged to “look before they book” when planning Christmas parties, family meals and takeaways.
High Speed Training says its study reviewed FSA data from more than 240,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nationally, the average rating was reported as 4.56, a slight increase from 4.55 in 2024, and 88% of businesses scored a 4 or 5, with 71% receiving the top mark.
Southport was followed closely by Ipswich, Lincoln and Stockton-on-Tees (all reported at 4.89) and Hastings (4.86).
For the wider North West picture, the company’s rankings place Carlisle second in the region (4.82), followed by Stockport (4.6), Preston (4.59) and Chester (4.58).
At the other end of the regional list, Wigan (4.09) and Bolton (4.08) were among the lowest-scoring.
The report claims the South West remains the highest-scoring UK region overall with an average of 4.67, while London is the lowest for the second year running at 4.38.
The North East and Northern Ireland reportedly shared second place nationally (both 4.64).
It also highlighted changes year-on-year, with Halifax noted as the biggest improver (+0.19) and West Bromwich the biggest faller (-0.26). Birmingham was said to have seen the largest drop of any major UK location mentioned in the analysis