Register a food business

Last Updated: 21 November 2023

To store, prepare, distribute or sell food in premises you need to be registered with us.

Premises include:

  • restaurants
  • cafes
  • hotels
  • shops
  • canteens
  • market stalls
  • mobile catering vans
  • food delivery vans
  • business run from home

Register a food business. You should do this at least 28 days before trading, or before your food operation starts.

Some food businesses need to be 'approved' rather than 'registered'. If you are unsure whether any aspect of your food operations would require approval, please contact our Food and Safety Group for guidance.

You should talk to your local planning authority about any change to the business.

Premises licences would be required if you:

  • intend to sell or supply alcohol
  • provide hot food or drink after 11pm

Training

Any member of staff who handles food must be supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene in an appropriate way.

Inspections

We carry out regular checks on all food premises. Inspections take place without warning and high risk premises are visited more often than lower risk premises.

Officers will want to be satisfied that:

  • adequate controls are in place to prevent any problems
  • staff are adequately trained
  • the conditions and cleanliness of the premises meets required standards

Scores are awarded for:

  • food hygiene compliance
  • structural compliance
  • confidence in management

If practices and/or conditions are not satisfactory then we will try to resolve the situation informally.

Where poor conditions continue or there is a risk to public health we may have to: 

  • serve a legal notice
  • prosecute
  • close the business

Food Standards Agency: national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme inspection results

Food safety

You must have food safety management procedures that staff understand.

The Food Standards Agency have developed Safer Food Better Business packs.

New food business, help and advice

You can get a support and advice to help set up your new food business: