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Setting pp a food business
If you are planning to start a new catering business, you must register your premises with the environmental health service by completing Food Registration Form at least 28 days before opening.  This is a legal requirement under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991 and applies to most types of food business, including catering businesses run from home, and mobile or temporary premises such as stalls and burger vans.  If food premises are used by several catering businesses (for example, a village hall or conference centre), the person who allows the premises to be used for this purpose is responsible for registering them. However, if you use your own premises for a catering business, you must register them, even if you use other premises too.  You might also need to register as self-employed and/or register for VAT. These registration processes are completely separate from registering your food premises.  Remember that you might need planning permission to alter premises and you will also need to pay business rates on most premises.

Useful information regarding your first steps to running a catering business (external site)

The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 requires that:-

"the proprietor of a food business shall ensure that food handlers engaged in the food business are supervised and instructed and/or trainined in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activities."

Food Hygiene Training

Foundation Food Hygiene Course at Spelthorne (Word 1.4mb)

Further information on food safety is available from Spelthorne Enviromental Health on 01784 446291 or the Food Standards Agency (external site).

Self Help Pack for Small Caterers

Further food hygiene and food safety information