Build a better food business

We offer paid advice and coaching to help you start or improve a food business.

You can get support from a qualified and experienced Environmental Health Officer. They can help you understand what you need to do to follow food safety law or improve your Food Hygiene Rating.

Start a new food business

You can buy our New Business Start-Up package if you are setting up a food business.

The package costs £176.90.

You will get direct advice from a qualified and experienced Environmental Health Officer. After you explain what food you plan to sell or make, the officer can advise you on:

  • what you need to do to follow the law
  • what you need to do in the early stages of your business
  • any other ideas you have for your business

The package includes:

  • two hours of officer time, which you can use for an on-site visit, scheduled meeting or advice
  • help choosing the best option for your needs, if you are not sure how to use the time
  • the option to use any remaining time to contact the officer directly for more advice
  • a personalised report from the officer who worked with you

The report will identify areas for improvement, highlight long-term goals and give advice on specific issues.

Improve your Food Hygiene Rating

You can book a coaching session if you already run a food business and are finding it difficult to keep a high Food Hygiene Rating.

The session must take place at your business premises.

A qualified and experienced Environmental Health Officer will visit your business. They will look at:

  • how your business operates
  • any written systems you use
  • what you need to improve to get a higher rating

Coaching sessions cost £81.43 an hour. You must buy at least two hours.

You can use the time in one-hour blocks.

Request a Food Hygiene Rating rescore revisit

You may want to apply for a rescore revisit after reading the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme webpages.

You can request a rescore revisit if:

  • one of our officers has inspected your business
  • your business received a rating lower than 5
  • you have completed the required improvement work

After the inspection, the officer will have left you a list of work to complete or sent you a letter with the required work.

A rescore revisit costs £235.86.

Read the request a rescore revisit details on the Food Hygiene Ratings: information for businesses webpage.

Your new rating will be based on what the officer finds at the revisit.

Applying for a rescore does not mean you will get a rating of 5. You are responsible for completing all required actions and keeping those improvements in place.

Learn how to improve your food business

If you are not sure whether these services are right for you, there are still things you can do to improve your food business.

Start by reading the information we sent you after your last food hygiene inspection. Make sure you complete all changes the Environmental Health Officer advised.

If you cannot find your last inspection report, email foodhealthandsafety@swindon.gov.uk for a copy.

If you would like a printed copy, you will need to pay an administration charge.

You may also find these documents useful:

Costs for printed copies and paper forms

There is an administration fee of £52.15 if you need a printed copy of letters and report information we have already sent to you as the food business operator.

There is an administration charge of £24.07 if you submit a paper food business registration form instead of using the online application.

Contact us

To request information, make a payment or ask for advice, email foodhealthandsafety@swindon.gov.uk.

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