Food related licences
It is a statutory requirement to register premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures)
What is registration?
1.Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. Registration will allow 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 degree of risk involved.
Who needs to register?
2. If you run a food business for 5 or more days whether consecutive or not in any 5 consecutive weeks, you must tell (or arrange for someone else to 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, buffet cars on trains, market and other stalls, hot dog and ice cream vans, etc.
3. 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. You do not need to register each vehicle separately. If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell the authority where they are normally kept.
4. Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before doing so.
5. The majority of premises will have to be registered. However, certain premises are exempt from registration, e.g. some which are already registered for food law purposes, certain agricultural premises, motor cars, tents and marquees (but not stalls), some domestic premises and some village halls.
You should contact you local authority if you think you might be exempt.
How do I register?
6. By filling in the form below. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. The registration form must be sent to your local authority. The address can be found on the front of this form. If the form is sent to the wrong address your application will not take effect until it is received at the proper place.
If you use premises in more than one local authority area, you must register with each authority separately.
7. You must tick all the boxes which apply to your business, answer all the questions and give all the information requested. Seasonal businesses operating for a certain period each year should give the dates between which they will be open in answer to question 11. If you have any questions your local authority will help you. It is an offence to give information which you know is false.
- Online food premises registation form
- Downloadable food premises registration form
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- Food premises registration notes
What happens to the information given on the form?
8. The local authority will enter the details on its Register. A register of the name of the business (if any), the address, telephone number and the type of business carried on at each will be open to inspection by the general public. Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available.
Changes
9. Once you have registered with the local authority you only need notify them of a change of proprietor or if the nature of the business changes. The new proprietor will have to complete an application form.
If the local authority wishes to change the entry in the Register because of information which it receives from someone else you will be given 28 days notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed change.
Note: These notes are provided for information only and should not be regarded as a complete statement of law.
What if I want to open a new food business
The Food Standards Agency Website has access to advice for all food businesses. For information and advice especially made for new businesses visit the Food Standards Agency website.
Contact us
Correspondence address onlyEnvironmental Health and Trading Standards Service
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street
Liverpool
L2 2DH
Telephone: (0151) 233 3000 (Liverpool Direct)
Fax: (0151) 225 6039