Christmas and New Year closure information
Our council offices and phone lines will close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen at 9am on Monday 5 January 2026.
See our service arrangements for customers during this time.
Starting a new food business
Find out who needs to register and other things you need to consider before opening. Pre-inspection checklist, guidance on allergy and intolerance, childminders food safety and guidance for mobile caterers.
Do I need to register?
Yes - if you’re serving food to the public (even for free), you must register. This includes:
- restaurants, cafés, canteens
- mobile units, market stalls
- home-based catering
Each location must be registered separately.
Register for free on the Food Standards Agency website.
Let us know if your business changes or gets a new owner.
What will happen next?
A food safety officer will inspect your premises. You’ll get a hygiene rating which will be published online.
Before opening, make sure:
- all food handlers have food safety training (and you keep records)
- you have a food safety management system (e.g. Safer Food, Better Business)
- all documents are ready for inspection.
You may also need a licence if you:
- sell alcohol or offer entertainment
- sell hot food late at night
- use tables and chairs on the street
- trade on the street
Planning permission
Your premises must have the correct planning use. It’s your responsibility to check this.
