Licence summary
To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises you need to be registered with the local authority. Premises include restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans.
Some manufacturers handling products of animal origin may need to be approved by the local authority or the Meat Hygiene Service, rather than registered. If you are uncertain whether your business needs to be approved or registered, contact your local authority.
Eligibility Criteria
No provision in legislation
Regulation Summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence (external website)
Application Evaluation Process
No provision in legislation
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period
Apply online (via businesslink.gov.uk)
Apply for registration of a food business establishment (external website)
Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances (external website)
Failed Application Redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct (external website) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre. (external website)
Trade Associations
Chilled Food Association (external website)
National Federation of Meat and Food Traders (external website)
Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) (external website)
Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF) (external website)
