Opening a New Food Business - What you need to do

You must register your food business

You must register your food business at least 28 days before opening. There is no charge for registration, but it is a legal requirement that you complete the form and notify us that you intend to operate a food business.

You can register your food business using our online form or download a registration form which you should complete and return to us at the address on the form:

Register your Food Business online

 Registration of Food Business Establishment Guidance and Application Form (119kB DOC)

You must have adequate food hygiene training

Food Business Operators must ensure that food handlers in the food business are supervised, instructed and trained in food hygiene matters which correspond to with their work activities. Staff preparing open high risk foods, including sandwiches, should have the equivalent of the CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering.

Please check our Food Hygiene Training page for details of courses and available dates.

You must have a written food safety management system

A written food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles must now be put in place, implemented and maintained. A simple way this can be achieved is by using the Food Standard Agency's Safer Food Better Business Pack.

Please check our Safer Food Better Business page for details on how to obtain a free management pack and DVD.

You must comply with the Food Regulations

There are a number of Food Standard Agency (FSA) publications that you might find helpful (and are free). These can be found on the Food Standards Agency website and include:

• Starting up - Your first Steps to running a catering Business 
• Food Hygiene - A guide for Businesses
• Food Law inspections and your Business

You may require a Premises Licence

Please visit our Licensing pages for full details.

Contact Us

For any further enquiries please contact the Commercial Regulation Team on 01865 249811 or Email Us.

Page last reviewed 1 May 2012