Starting a food business | Sevenoaks District Council
Early start for waste collections during the heatwave

With more high temperatures forecast next week, we will start our waste collections earlier than normal from Monday 10 August until Friday 14 August 2026.

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Starting a food business

Information on registering and running a food business is available from the Food Standards Agency.

You should also:

Register your business

  • When you start a new food business or take over an existing business, you must register at least 28 days before opening. This also applies to mobile food businesses.
  • Certain types of food premises, generally business that sell animal products for human consumption to other businesses, may need to apply for food business approval instead

The Food Standards Agency provides more information on who needs to register.


Inspections

We will inspect your premises, usually without making an appointment. We usually publish your hygiene rating on the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme website.