Completion of registration form downloaded from the website

You can print off two versions of our form:

Once printed off, you will need to complete fully, sign and date the form and then return to the address indicated on the form or alternatively use our upload facility.

It is a requirement under article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 for food premises to register with their local authority (for exemptions see below). We maintain a public register for food premises available on this website.

The registration will then be followed up by the establishment of an inspection programme for each premise, to ensure that food safety legislation and guidance is adhered to and public health is protected.

Food registration is not a ‘one-off’ process for each premise. A new form must also be completed on other occasions – see notes on registration.

Please ensure that you read fully and understand the notes on registration of food premises before completion of the form (follow exemptions).

Food business definition

A food business is defined as ‘any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of production, processing and distribution of food’.

This definition implies a certain continuity of activities and a certain degree of organisation.

Exemptions

Exemptions from the requirement for food business operators to register their food business establishments include:-

Notes on registration of food premises

What is registration?

Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. Registration will allow 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 on the type of business.

Who needs to register?

If you run a food business you must tell (or arrange for someone else to tell) the local authority 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, 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 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), some domestic premises and some village halls. You should contact your local authority if you think you might be exempt.

How do I register?

By filling in an application form. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. The registration form must be sent to your local authority. The address can be found in the telephone directory. If the form is sent to the wrong address, your application will not take effect until it is received at the proper place. If you use premises in more than one local authority area, you must register with each authority separately.

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 will be open in answer to question 12. 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 the form?

The local authority will enter the details on its 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 we wish to change the entry in the register because of information which we receives from someone else, you will be given 28 days’ notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed change.

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