The information given below answers some of the questions you may have about registering a food premises. The notes are provided for information only and should not be regarded as a complete statement of the law. If you need any further details, please contact us at the address on the top right hand side of this page.
What is registration?
Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. Registration allows local authorities to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in their area so they can visit them when they need to. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of business.
Who needs to register?
If you run a food business 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. 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.
If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop, or warehouse you only need to tell the local authority how many vehicles you have. If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell the authority where they are normally kept.
Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before doing so.
The majority of premises will have to be registered. However, certain premises are exempt from registration e.g. some which are already registered or approved for food law purposes. You should contact your local authority if you think you might be exempt.
How do I register?
You can register your food premises by filling in a registration form. A form can be downloaded from this page or can be obtained by contacting us using the contact details on the top right of this page.
Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. The registration form must be returned to your local authority. 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. If you have any questions your local authority will help you. 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 its Register. A register of business names, addresses and the nature/type of business carried on at each will be open to inspection by the general public. Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available unless they are covered by The Freedom of Information Act.
Changes
Once you have registered with the Local Authority you need to notify them if the nature of the business changes or if there is a change of the address at which moveable premises are kept. If there is a change of proprietor, the new proprietor will have to complete an application form. The closure of a food business must also be notified. Upon receipt of a notification of change appropriate amendments will be made to the register.