Watford Budgens store receives another 1/5 hygiene rating

The Budgens store in Printers Avenue, Watford <i>(Image: Canva/Food Standards Agency/Google Street View)</i>
The Budgens store in Printers Avenue, Watford (Image: Canva/Food Standards Agency/Google Street View)
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A Watford supermarket has received another 1/5 food hygiene rating as “major improvement” is still needed.

Budgens in Printers Avenue received the second-lowest possible rating following an inspection on June 16, 2025.

This remained in place at the turn of the year, but it had the opportunity to raise it through a new inspection on April 20.

However, the result has now been published and shows the exact same score as before.

Within the individual categories inspected – hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities, and management of food safety – the same standards were also found again.

It was generally satisfactory for each except for management of food safety, where it was told “major improvement” is necessary.

This refers to the checks in place to ensure that food is safe to eat, evidence staff know about food safety, and the officer’s confidence that standards will be maintained in future.

The Watford store and Budgens owner Booker Group were approached for comment at the time of each inspection and it was previously suggested steps were being taken to address the issues and ensure compliance.

Budgens stores are owned and operated independently of the wider brand.

At the time of the first inspection, Budgens in Bushey High Road also held a 1/5 rating but this has since been raised to 5/5 standards.

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