Registering a new food business

Registering a Food Business

Why register?
How do I register?
What happens to the information on the form?
Changes

Why register?
UK law requires registration under Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Article 6(2) of any 'premises' used for a food business and anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority (a minimum of 28 days before doing so).

If you run a food business for more than 5 days 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.

'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.The majority of premises will have to be registered.
However, certain premises are exempt from registration, e.g. some that are already registered for food law purposes, certain agricultural premises, motorcars, tents and marquees (but not stalls), some domestic premises and some village halls.
You should contact your local authority if you think you might be exempt.

How do I register?
By filling in an application to register a food business ( PDF 50K file details) form; registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. The registration form must be sent to your local authority.

Please note that 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.
You must tick all the boxes that 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 7.

It is an offence to give information that you know is false.

What happens to the information given on the form?
The local authority will enter the details on a Register open to inspection by the general public. The Register shows addresses and the type of business carried on, the other information provided will not be publicly available.

Changes
Once you have registered with the local authority, you only need to notify them of

a change of proprietor (who will have to complete a new application form)
if the nature of the business changes
if there is a change of the address at which moveable premises are kept.

If the local authority wishes to change the entry in the Register (because of information that it receives from someone else), you will be given 28 days notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed change.

Please note that this information is provided for guidance and should not be regarded as a complete statement of the law.

For further help and information contact the Food Safety Team at:
Environmental Health
Sevenoaks District Council
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1GP

phone:    01732 227000
fax:        01732 742339
e mail:    environmental.health@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Sevenoaks District Council,
Council Offices,
Argyle Road,
Sevenoaks,
Kent
TN13 1HG

01732 227000