Food business licensing in the UK: registration & permits you should be aware of

Before you open a pub, café or food business in the UK, you usually need to register with your local council, and depending on what you plan to do, you may also need one or more licences. Get the timing wrong and you may have to delay your opening.

This article gives an overview for first time owners of food business registration, food hygiene rules, the licences a pub needs to sell alcohol, and the extra permits for food trucks and street traders.

Rules differ by business type, location and what you sell, so always check the official sources linked here and your local council before you act. You should always consult a professional advisor for advice tailored to your business's specific needs and circumstances.

Key takeaways

• Register your food business with the local council at least 28 days before you open. Registration is normally free, and the council cannot refuse it.
• There is no single “food hygiene licence” in the UK. Instead, food safety law sets out what you must do, and your business is usually given a food hygiene rating after a council visit.
• To sell alcohol, a pub needs a premises licence and a named person who holds a personal licence.
• Food trucks and street traders usually need a street trading licence or consent from each council where they trade.
• Some steps take weeks, so start early and budget for council fees that vary by area.

Registering your food business

Almost every food business in the UK must register with the local council. This usually applies whether you run a pub, a restaurant, a café, a takeaway, a food truck or a stall. It also normally applies if you prepare food at home or sell only online. There are limited exceptions, so check with your council if you are unsure whether registration applies.

You must register at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration is free, and the council cannot refuse it. You can apply on the GOV.UK food business registration page, which passes your details to your local council.

After you register, a council food safety officer may visit to check your premises. The visit is a normal part of food safety checks. It helps to have good hygiene habits in place from day one.

Run a mobile business, such as a food van? You register with the council for the area where the van is normally kept when not in use. If you trade from fixed premises in more than one council area, you may need to register with each one. Trading without registering is an offence, so it pays to sort this step first.

Food hygiene: training, ratings and the law

Many owners search for a “food hygiene licence”, but there is no such thing in the UK. Instead, food safety law sets out what you must do. Your business then gets a food hygiene rating after a council visit.

Food hygiene training

Anyone who handles food must be trained or supervised to a level that suits their job. Many owners and staff take a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate, which is widely recognised. The certificate belongs to the person, not the premises, so it travels with you to any job.

Your food hygiene rating

After the council visits, you get a rating from 0 to 5 under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, run by the Food Standards Agency. A 5 means very good standards. Many customers check ratings before they visit, so a strong score helps your reputation.

A written food safety system

Most food businesses need a written food safety plan. It follows a set of steps known as HACCP. The Food Standards Agency offers free Safer Food, Better Business packs. These help small businesses meet the rule without paying for templates.

For the full picture, check the Food Standards Agency website and the guidance from your local council. Some rules also vary by what you cook and how you sell it.

Selling alcohol: what a pub needs

If you plan to sell alcohol, this part of licensing takes the most time. So it is worth knowing early. In England and Wales, alcohol sales fall under the Licensing Act 2003. You need two things in place: a premises licence and a personal licence holder.

Premises licence

A premises licence covers the place where you sell alcohol. You apply to your local council. You must also advertise the application so local residents and statutory bodies (such as the police, fire service and environmental health) can make representations. The process can take several weeks. You can find the forms on the GOV.UK alcohol licensing page. Fees depend on the rateable value of your premises, so they vary from place to place.

Personal licence

A personal licence allows the holder to authorise the sale of alcohol on a licensed premises. To apply, you must be 18 or over and hold an accredited licensing qualification. Other conditions apply, including criminal record checks, so check the official requirements before applying. You do not need a personal licence just to work behind the bar. A personal licence holder can authorise your sales instead.

Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

Every place that sells alcohol must name a Designated Premises Supervisor, or DPS. The DPS is the main contact for the day-to-day running of the premises. They must hold a personal licence. In many small pubs, the owner is both the premises licence holder and the DPS.

Temporary events

For a one-off event, such as a beer festival or a pop-up bar, you may be able to use a Temporary Event Notice instead of a full premises licence. There are limits on how many you can hold each year. So check the rules with your council before you plan an event.
Alcohol licensing has many moving parts and rules and fees vary by council. Always refer to GOV.UK and your local licensing authority for the detail that applies to your premises.

Licences for food trucks and street traders

If you sell food from a van, stall or cart on the street or in a public place, you usually need permission to trade there. This is separate from food business registration.

Most councils sort streets into three types: a “licence” street, a “consent” street, or a street where trading is banned. You apply to the council for the area where you want to trade. You can check the rules through the GOV.UK street trading licence service. Each council sets its own fees and conditions, including where and when you can trade.

Trade in several council areas and you usually need separate permission for each. Many traders also need public liability insurance, and some councils ask to see it with your form. If you sell from a private site, such as a market or festival, the organiser may handle the trading permission instead. Rules differ in London and some other areas, so always check with the relevant council before you trade.

Other permits you might need

Your premises and your plans may bring a few other permissions into play. Check which ones affect you before you open.

• Planning permission or change of use, if you are turning a building into a food or drink venue.
• A pavement licence, if you want to put tables and chairs on the pavement outside.
• Permission for live or recorded music, though some music at certain times and audience sizes is exempt from licensing rules. Check the position with your council.
• Waste carrier registration, if you transport your own commercial waste.
• Late-night refreshment permission, if you serve hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am.

Your local council is the best source for what applies to your exact location. The Companies House website explains how to register a limited company if you decide to trade that way. A new limited company will also need its own business bank account. Zempler Bank's company formation service lets you register your company and apply for a business account at the same time, which can save you a step.

How much does food business licensing cost?

Costs and timings vary by council and by the type of business. So do not treat the figures below as a guide. Always check current fees and timing with your local council before you budget.

Because fees change and differ by area, always confirm the latest amounts on GOV.UK or with your council. Never rely on a single quoted figure when planning your cashflow.

Getting your business set up alongside licensing

While you sort out registration and licences, the business itself also needs to be ready to run. That means you should consider having a separate business account for your takings, supplier payments and wages. Keeping business and personal money apart can make your bookkeeping and tax simpler.

Keeping on top of cashflow is the top worry for most new hospitality business owners. So getting an account open early matters. Zempler Bank offers a UK business current account, it takes minutes to apply, so you can be ready the moment your licences are in place. Our Business Go tier is free at £0 a month. The account also includes in-app cashflow tracking, to help you stay on top of takings and outgoings as you trade.

You can pay in cash at any of the UK's 11,500 Post Offices, which is handy if you take cash over the bar or counter. The application process is also designed to be accessible if you are early in your trading history or have a limited or poor credit record, so it can suit owners who have struggled to open an account elsewhere. Card spending can earn cashback on eligible purchases on our Business Extra and Business Pro accounts. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per customer.

Important information:

This article covers England and Wales. Licensing works differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the rules for your nation if you trade there.

For advice on your specific situation, speak to a qualified accountant, solicitor or licensed adviser.