Registering a Food Premises

These notes are provided for information only and should not be regarded as a complete statement of the law.

What is registration?

To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises you need to be registered with your local authority.  Food premises include: restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans. 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 upon the type of business, amongst other things.

Who needs to register?

If you operate a food business you must ensure the local authority is informed about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food. Food premises include:  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. You do not need to register each vehicle separately. 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 within at least 28 days of starting.

Almost all food businesses will have to be registered. However, certain premises are exempt e.g. ones which are already registered for food law purposes, certain agricultural premises, motor cars, 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. 

Some manufacturers handling products of animal origin may need to be approved by the local authority or the Meat Hygiene Service, rather than registered. If you are uncertain whether your business needs to be approved or registered, contact your local authority.

How do I register?

Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. If you use premises in more than one local authority area, you must register with each local authority separately.

The Food Registration Form can be completed online using the links in the apply online section below.

You must tick all the boxes which 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 are open (question 9). If you have any questions, your local authority will help you. It is an offence to give information which you know is false.

What happens to the information given on this form?

The local authority will enter details on its register. A register of name (business), addresses and the type of business carried on at the address will be open to inspection by the public. Other information provided will not be open to public inspection. To view the public register please contact us using the details to the right of the page.

Changes

Once you have registered with the local authority, you need only notify them if there is a change of proprietor, if the nature of the business changes, or if there is a change of address. The new proprietor will have to complete a registration form.

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

For further information please telephone: 01432 261761 or
Email: info@herefordshire.gov.uk

Licence summary	To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises you need to be registered with the local authority.
Eligibility Criteria	No provision in legislation.
Regulation Summary	A summary of the regulations relating to this licence (food of animal origin) A summary of the regulations relating to this licence (hygiene of foodstuffs)
Application Evaluation Process	No provision in legislation.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?	Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period of 28 days.
Apply online	Apply for registration of a food business establishment Tell us about a change to your existing food business establishment
Failed Application Redress	Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance, see the contact details box at the top right of the page
Licence Holder Redress	Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance, see the contact details box at the top right of the page
Consumer Complaint	We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress	None
Trade Associations	Chilled Food Association National Federation of Meat and Food Traders Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF)