How we choose the top 5

A business makes a Five Star Local top 5 only on its public customer reviews. Nobody can pay for a place, and the rules are the same for everyone.

1. The minimum

• An average of at least 4.7 stars on a public review platform (usually Google).
• At least 10 reviews, so one or two happy customers aren't enough.
• A rating checked in the last 180 days. Every listing shows the date it was checked; older ratings are removed until they're checked again.
• An active local business that serves the town it's listed in.

2. The ranking

Businesses that meet the minimum are ranked by a weighted average. Each business is treated as if it also had 25 extra reviews at 4.5 stars. That stops a brand-new business with a handful of 5-star reviews jumping ahead of one with years of excellent service.

The five highest scores in each town and category make the list. If scores tie, the business with more reviews goes first.

A list with fewer than 3 businesses is still shown here, but we ask search engines not to list it until more local businesses qualify, so a search never sends you to a list with only one or two names.

3. What we don't do

• We don't take payment for rankings, and listing is free.
• We don't write, edit or filter anyone's reviews. We show the rating as published by the review platform, with a link to read them.
• We don't list businesses below the minimum, however much they ask.

Spotted something wrong?

If a rating has changed, a business has closed, or you think a review record isn't genuine, tell us and we'll recheck it.