Food businesses must register their premises with the Environmental Health service by completing a Food Premises Registration Form at least 28 days before opening. This is a legal requirement for a food business, including catering businesses run from home, and mobile or temporary premises such as stalls and burger vans.
If not handled properly, food can be very dangerous, leading to illness and even death. It is important that before starting your business you have some knowledge about food safety and good hygiene practices.
It is a legal requirement that "the proprietor of a food business shall ensure that food handlers engaged in the food business are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activities”. It is recommended that you attend the CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering training, or an equivalent.
You can also find trainers on the CIEH website (external website) There may be other agencies that you need to contact:
you might need to register as self-employed and/or register for Valued Added Tax (VAT). These registration processes are completely separate from registering your food premises
if you want to make changes to your premises, remember that you might need planning permission
you will need to pay business rates on most premises - contact Customer Services
you will need a licence for certain activities, such as selling or supplying alcohol or selling hot food between 11pm and 5am
you will need to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for your work activities. More information and example risk assessments can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website (external website)
Surrey Trading Standards provide guidance to new businesses on labelling, weights and measures, business waste, trade law, credit law and “Buy with Confidence”
Checklist for starting up
Have you registered your premises?
Does the design and construction of your premises meet legal requirement?
Are you aware of the legal requirements that apply to you?
Do you keep written records of all the suppliers that provide you with food or any food ingredients?
Have you put food safety management procedures in place and are you keeping up-to-date records of these?
Do you and your staff understand the principles of good food hygiene?
Have you considered health and safety and fire safety arrangements?
Have you registered as self-employed?
Do you need to register for VAT?
Are you keeping records of all your business income and expenses?
Are you keeping records of your employees’ pay and do you know how to pay their tax and National Insurance contributions?
Do you describe food and drink accurately?
Do you need to apply for a licence to sell alcohol, for entertainment, for selling hot food and drink late at night, or selling food on the street?
This is not intended as a complete list of all the elements you must consider when setting up a new business. It is your responsibility as a business operator to ensure that you comply with all relevant pieces of legislation.
