Registration will apply to all types of premises and businesses who store, prepare sell, provide, transport or distribute food and drink.
Registration must take place at least 28 days before you start trading or take over an existing business.
It is an offence to operate without registration. If you are already trading and have not yet registered, you will need to do so as soon as possible.
If you operate more than one premises, you need to register each of them with the local authority in which they are located.
Examples of the types of food operations and businesses that are required to register include:
- restaurants, cafes and takeaways
- catering businesses run from home, B&Bs, mobile catering and temporary businesses
- marquees, food stalls, food pop ups and food vans
- nurseries, schools and care homes
- distance selling, mail order and food delivery including online
- Food distributers such as brokers, even if food is not kept at the premises.
- Businesses which only provide drinks such as wet pubs must also register.
Some activities do not require registration, some examples are:
- infrequent activities, such as one-off events
- if you make food for friends and family
- places where the main activity is not to do with food, such as a hairdresser providing tea and biscuits
What happens after you have registered?
Your business will be registered as soon as we receive your application.
Once you have submitted your form online you will be sent confirmation of your successful registration via email.
If you haven't had an inspection but have registered your business, you can still trade. The details of your food business will be entered onto the council’s central database system and an officer will then be allocated to undertake the first food hygiene inspection.
Following a food hygiene inspection you will receive a food hygiene rating which will be published on the Food Hygiene Ratings website which many consumers look for when deciding where to eat or order food from.
How do I find out more about starting a food business?
Find out more about starting a food business on the Food Standards Agency website
How do I register?
You can use the link below to register a food business. Registration is free and your food business registration cannot be refused.
If you do not provide enough details your registration may be delayed while we obtain further information from you.
Please complete all the boxes that apply to your business and give as much information as possible:
Notify us if anything changes
It is a legal requirement for you to notify us of any significant changes to your business, including:
- significant change of food activities
- change of ownership
- change in trading name(s)
- or if you subsequently close your business
You can notify us by emailing environmentalhealth@wirral.gov.uk.
Report a problem
Report a concern about:
- an application
- a business which may not be registered
- practices at a registered premises