London has 1,565 food premises awaiting a hygiene inspection, the biggest backlog of 17 major UK cities, according to an analysis of Food Standards Agency ratings by Virtual College, an online compliance training provider.
That is more than twice the next highest, Liverpool, with 668, and Manchester, with 602. The findings were sent to newsrooms on 16 October 2026.
London ranked 15th of the 17 cities for food hygiene overall, with an average rating of 4.44 out of 5. Of its premises, 67.62% held the top rating of 5 and 1.98% were rated 1. Nottingham came first with 4.84 and Birmingham last with 4.28.
Restaurants and takeaways
The backlog was largest among restaurants, cafés and canteens, where 945 London premises were awaiting inspection. Manchester was next with 312. London’s restaurants ranked 15th, averaging 4.41, with 66.27% rated 5 and 2.16% rated 1.
London’s takeaways and sandwich shops ranked 10th, averaging 4.24, with 56.94% rated 5, 2.68% rated 1 and 414 awaiting inspection. Pubs, bars and nightclubs ranked 12th, averaging 4.61, with 55 awaiting inspection.
Schools, colleges and universities ranked 15th with 4.81 and 94 awaiting inspection, and hospitals, childcare and care homes 14th with 4.77 and 57 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.