How to Get a Food Premises Licence in the UK
Step-by-step guide to obtaining a food premises licence in the UK. Covers registration vs approval, premises licence applications, planning permission, building regulations, and preparing for inspection.
The term "food premises licence" is widely used but often causes confusion because there is no single licence that covers all aspects of operating a food premises in the UK. In reality, operating a food business lawfully typically involves a combination of requirements: food business registration (under EC Regulation 852/2004), a premises licence (under the Licensing Act 2003, if you sell alcohol or provide late-night refreshment), planning permission (under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, if your intended use differs from the current permitted use), and potentially food business approval (required for certain establishments handling products of animal origin under EC Regulation 853/2004). Understanding which of these apply to your specific business is essential to avoid costly delays or enforcement action.
The most commonly misunderstood distinction is between food business registration and a premises licence. Registration with your local authority is required for all food businesses and is free. A premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 is a separate, paid application that is only required if you intend to sell or supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or serve hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am (late-night refreshment). Many food businesses need only registration, but restaurants, bars, pubs, and late-night takeaways typically need both. Adding to the complexity, if your premises requires a change of planning use, you will also need planning permission from your local planning authority, which is a separate process again.
This guide demystifies the various permissions and licences you may need, walking you through each process step by step. Whether you are opening a small cafe that only needs registration, a restaurant that needs a premises licence for alcohol, or a takeaway that needs planning permission for hot food use, this guide covers every scenario with specific references to the relevant UK legislation.
7 steps to complete
Understand registration vs approval
The first step is to determine whether your food business requires simple registration or formal approval. The vast majority of food businesses — restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs, hotels, market stalls, mobile caterers, and home food businesses — require only registration under EC Regulation 852/2004, which is free. However, if your business handles products of animal origin (such as a slaughterhouse, dairy processing plant, egg packing centre, or fish processing facility) and supplies other businesses, you may need formal approval under EC Regulation 853/2004. Approval involves a more detailed application, a pre-operational inspection, and the assignment of an approval number. If you are unsure which applies, contact your local authority's environmental health team. For most food service businesses, simple registration is all that is required from a food safety regulatory perspective.
Register your food business
Register your food business with your local authority at least 28 days before you start trading. This is a free, mandatory requirement under EC Regulation 852/2004, retained in UK law. You can register online through your local council's website or the Food Standards Agency's registration portal. The registration form requires the name and address of the food business operator, the premises address, a description of your food activities, and your intended start date. Registration is not the same as approval or inspection — it simply notifies your local authority that your food business exists. After registration, an Environmental Health Officer will schedule an inspection to assess your food safety management systems, premises condition, and hygiene practices. Each premises must be registered separately, so if you operate from multiple locations, submit a separate registration for each.
Apply for a premises licence if serving alcohol or trading late
If your business will sell or supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment (beyond certain exemptions), or serve hot food or hot drinks between 11pm and 5am, you need a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. The application is submitted to your local licensing authority (usually the district or borough council). You must complete the application form, pay the fee (which ranges from £100 to £1,905 depending on the rateable value of your premises), submit a plan of the premises, and advertise the application by displaying a notice at the premises for 28 days and publishing a notice in a local newspaper. You must also notify all responsible authorities (police, fire service, environmental health, trading standards, and others) who have 28 days to make representations. If no objections are received, the licence is granted. If objections are raised, a hearing before the licensing sub-committee will be scheduled to determine the application.
Apply for planning permission if needed
If the current permitted use of your premises does not match your intended use, you will need planning permission from your local planning authority. Restaurant and cafe use now falls within Class E (Commercial, Business, and Service) under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020. Hot food takeaway use is classified as sui generis (in a class of its own). If you are converting a premises from retail (also Class E) to a restaurant, this may be permitted without a formal application as it falls within the same use class. However, if you are changing to takeaway use, you will almost certainly need planning permission. The application process typically takes 8-13 weeks and costs £462 (2024 standard fee). Planning officers will consider factors including the impact on neighbours, traffic and parking, extraction and odour, opening hours, and consistency with local planning policies.
Complete any building works and safety checks
Before opening, ensure your premises meets all building regulations and safety requirements. If you have carried out any structural alterations, extensions, or changes to building services (electrical, gas, plumbing, ventilation), these may require building regulations approval from your local authority's building control department. Your gas installations must be installed and certified by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Electrical installations must comply with BS 7671 and should be tested and certificated by a qualified electrician. Install appropriate fire detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Complete a fire risk assessment before opening — this is a legal requirement and must be carried out by a competent person. Ensure your premises has adequate hand washing facilities, appropriate ventilation and extraction, suitable food preparation surfaces, and pest-proofing measures.
Prepare for your first inspection
After registering your food business, your local authority will schedule an initial inspection by an Environmental Health Officer. This inspection determines your Food Hygiene Rating (0-5 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; pass/improvement required in Scotland) and sets the baseline for your ongoing regulatory relationship. Before the inspection, ensure your food safety management system (SFBB or HACCP) is fully documented with at least several weeks of completed records. Have your temperature monitoring logs, cleaning schedules, staff training records, supplier information, and allergen management documentation organised and readily accessible. Walk through your premises critically, checking hand wash facilities, food storage arrangements, surface condition, and overall cleanliness. Brief your staff on what to expect during an inspection and ensure they can confidently explain your food safety procedures.
Display required notices and certificates
Once you are operational and have received your Food Hygiene Rating, there are several notices and certificates that must be displayed or made available at your premises. In England, display of FHRS stickers is voluntary (though mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland). Your premises licence (if you have one) must be kept at the premises and the summary displayed prominently. You must display your employer's liability insurance certificate (if you have employees). Your fire risk assessment must be available for inspection. No smoking signs must be displayed in enclosed public spaces and workplaces under the Health Act 2006. If you sell alcohol, you must display a notice stating the name of the designated premises supervisor and a summary of your licensing conditions. Keep all certificates, inspection reports, and compliance documentation in an organised file that can be produced immediately if requested by any enforcement officer.
Tips for success
Common mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between food business registration and a premises licence?
Food business registration is required for all food businesses under EC Regulation 852/2004. It is free, involves completing a simple form with your local authority at least 28 days before trading, and covers your right to operate as a food business. A premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 is a separate, paid requirement only needed if you sell or supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or serve hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am. The two are administered by different teams within the local authority (environmental health for registration, licensing for the premises licence) and have different application processes.
How much does a premises licence cost?
The application fee for a premises licence depends on the rateable value of your premises and ranges from £100 (Band A, rateable value up to £4,300) to £1,905 (Band E, rateable value above £125,000). There is also an annual maintenance fee, which ranges from £70 to £1,050 on the same banding scale. Additional fees apply if you apply for a variation to your licence. If you are a late-night premises (trading between midnight and 6am), there may be a Late Night Levy in some areas. Personal licence applications cost £37. Check your local authority's website for current fees.
How long does it take to get a premises licence?
From application to grant, a premises licence typically takes 6-12 weeks. The mandatory consultation period is 28 consecutive days during which responsible authorities and members of the public can make representations. If no representations are received, the licence is usually granted within a few days of the consultation closing. If representations are made, a hearing before the licensing sub-committee must be convened within 20 working days of the end of the consultation period. The committee will then make a decision, which may grant the licence as applied for, grant it with modified conditions, exclude certain licensable activities, or refuse the application entirely.
Do I need a personal licence as well as a premises licence?
If your premises licence authorises the sale of alcohol, you must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) named on the licence, and this person must hold a personal licence. Only one person needs to hold a personal licence per premises (the DPS), though other staff can sell alcohol under the DPS's authority. To obtain a personal licence, you must complete an accredited licensing qualification (typically a one-day course costing £100-£200), apply to your local authority with a DBS basic disclosure check, and pay the £37 application fee. Personal licences last indefinitely but require a renewal declaration every 10 years.
What happens if I operate without the correct licence?
Operating without the required licences or permissions is a criminal offence. Selling alcohol without a premises licence can result in a fine of up to £20,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment under the Licensing Act 2003. Operating a food business without registration can result in prosecution under EC Regulation 852/2004. Carrying out a planning use without permission can result in an enforcement notice requiring you to cease the use and potentially restore the premises. In all cases, your local authority can take immediate action to close your business if they consider there is a significant risk to public safety. Beyond the legal consequences, operating without proper permissions will severely damage your business reputation.
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