How to register a food business
What is registration?
UK law requires registration of establishments used for a food
business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other
moveable structures).
Registration allows local authorities to keep an up-to-date list
of all those establishments 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 establishment you must inform
(or arrange for someone else to inform) us 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, food
brokers, 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
inform us 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 inform us where they are normally
kept.
- Anyone starting a new food business must register with the
Council 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 for food law purposes, certain agricultural
premises, motor cars, tents and marquees (but not stalls). You
should contact us if you think you might be exempt.
- Food businesses that are not wholly retail may also need to be
Approved under Regulation (EC) Number 853/2004.
How do I register?
By filling in and returning to us a registration form which is
available from our Food Safety Section, Stanley Depot, Stanley Way,
Skelmersdale WN8 8EE.
Tel: 01695 585242
There is no charge for registration.
If you use premises in more than one local authority area, you
must register with each authority separately.
Apply online
What happens to the information given on the
form?
We will add the details of your food business to our
register. A register of addresses and the 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.
Changes
Once you have registered, you only need notify us of a change of
proprietor, if the nature of the business changes, or if there is a
change of the address at which moveable premises are kept. The new
proprietor will have to complete an application form.
If the Council wishes to change the entry in the register
because of information which it receives from someone else, you
will be given 28 days notice and an opportunity to comment on the
proposed change.