Food business registration
Apply to register your business
Register your food business online. Registration cannot be refused, but we may inspect your premises after we receive your application.
Before you apply
After we receive your application, a food safety officer will visit your business.
We may call you to make an appointment. In most cases, we will visit without telling you first.
The inspection checks that your premises meets the standards required by Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs.
Registration options
You can choose from these options when you register online:
- Fast track registration: we will process your application in 14 days. We will add your business to our food register and you will then be subject to an inspection. This costs £70.20
- Fast track registration and fast track inspection: we will complete your food business registration and food business inspection, including a hygiene rating, in 14 working days. This costs £140.39
- Pre-inspection advisory visit: this does not include a food hygiene rating score. This costs £176.90
- Standard response: we will process your application in 28 days. This is free
You will need a debit or credit card if you choose a paid option.
Apply online
You can register your business using the online food business registration form.
There is no charge unless you choose one of the paid options.
It is an offence to give information that you know is false.
Changes to your business
After you register, you only need to tell us if:
- the owner changes
- the type of business changes, for example from a retail shop to a butcher's shop
- the address changes where movable or mobile premises are kept
If the owner changes, the new owner must complete an application form.
If your business does not meet food safety standards
We will not refuse your food business registration.
Food safety officers can legally require you to make improvements if your business does not meet the standards required by law.