Butchers' licensing
You will need a licence if you sell or handle unwrapped raw meat and ready to eat food from the same premises.
'Wrapping' means covered to prevent contact with bacteria and stop the leakage of meat juices.
'Raw meat' includes poultry, rabbit, wild and farmed game and red meat. It does not include raw sausage, cured bacon, black pudding, raw mince or burgers.
'Ready to eat foods' means any food which is ready to eat without further treatment, and includes cooked meat, sausage rolls, sandwiches, milk, cheese, fruit and prepared vegetables, tinned fish, preserves, condiments, bread, confectionery and biscuits.
Premises may be butchers' shops, supermarkets, mobile shops, market stalls and some on-farm shops.
How can I get a licence?
To get a licence you must comply with food safety legislation. All staff must be suitably qualified with at least a basic Food Hygiene Certificate or equivalent. At least one member of staff must have a higher certificate in food hygiene or have completed the Meat and Livestock Commission's Meat Manager's Hygiene course.
You must ensure that your food safety management procedures are fully documented. All records, policies and procedures including monitoring systems and corrective action must be available on site and will be reviewed at least once a year.
The licence costs £100 and lasts for one year from the date of issue. The licence must be applied for at least 28 days before the start of the business and you must fill in and return the Butcher's Application Form with payment. You must notify us if there are any material changes to the shop e.g. layout, ownership, management, operations and activities. You are responsible for the renewal of your licence.
The Butcher's application form is available in PDF format for downloading. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document![(PDF [9.9Kb] opens in new window)](/images/PDF.gif)
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Refusals
If we refuse your application we will tell you which licensing conditions are not satisfactory. You will have a right of appeal and information will be sent to you about how to appeal. You may stay open until the appeal is heard unless there is an immediate risk to health. Your payment will be returned to you.
It is a criminal offence for any person to use premises as a butcher's shop without a current licence.
Contact us
If you require further information, please contact us.
Telephone
0151 233 3000
Fax
0151 225 6039
Email
environmentalhealth@liverpool.gov.uk