Food business registration

The information given below answers some of the questions you may have about registering a food premises. The notes are provided for information only and should not be regarded as a complete statement of the law. If you need any further details, please contact us.

What is registration?

Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law.

Registration allows local authorities to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in their area so they can visit them when they need to. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of business.

Who needs to register?

If you run a food business you must tell the local authority about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food.

Food premises includes restaurants, hotels, cafes, shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, kitchens in offices, warehouses, guest houses, delivery vehicles, market and other stalls, mobile food vans, hot dog and ice cream vans etc.

If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises (such as a shop or warehouse) you only need to tell the local authority how many vehicles you have.

If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell the authority where they are normally kept.

Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before doing so.

Apply online

What happens to the information given on the form?

The local authority will enter the details on its register, which is open to inspection by the general public. Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available unless they are covered by The Freedom of Information Act.

Failed application or License holder redress

For any Failed application redress or Licence holder redress, you are advised, in the first instance, to contact your Environmental Health Team.

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