Sheffield has been ranked seventh of 17 major UK cities for food hygiene in an analysis of Food Standards Agency ratings by Virtual College, an online compliance training provider.
Food businesses in Sheffield averaged 4.61 out of 5. Of the city’s premises, 74.97% held the top rating of 5 and 1.27% were rated 1. A further 194 premises were awaiting inspection. The findings were sent to newsrooms on 16 October 2026.
Nottingham came first with an average of 4.84 and Birmingham last with 4.28. Leeds was sixth, one place above Sheffield, with 4.63.
By type of business
Sheffield’s takeaways and sandwich shops ranked sixth of the 17 cities, with an average of 4.35, 58.78% rated 5 and 1.64% rated 1. Takeaways were the weakest category nationally in the study.
The city’s restaurants, cafés and canteens ranked seventh, averaging 4.58, with 73.80% rated 5, 1.61% rated 1 and 83 premises awaiting inspection.
Pubs, bars and nightclubs ranked sixth, averaging 4.70, with 79.74% rated 5 and 0.53% rated 1.
Schools, colleges and universities ranked ninth with 4.89. Hospitals, childcare and care homes ranked 12th with 4.80, with 1.08% rated 1 and 44 premises awaiting inspection.
Jamie Ashforth, business and strategy director at Virtual College, said: “In cities with long inspection waiting lists, businesses may be operating for extended periods without an up-to-date public rating. That makes proactive self-assessment even more important.”
How the figures were worked out
Virtual College used Food Standards Agency hygiene rating data for 2026, grouped by city and business type, across 17 of the UK’s major cities. It calculated each city’s average rating, the share of premises rated 5 and rated 1, and the number of premises awaiting inspection. Every rating is published on the Food Standards Agency register. More from the sector is in our hospitality section.