Page content section :
Environmental health
Licensing : Registration of premises used for a food business
(Note : The notes below are NOT a complete statement of
the law)
- What is registration?
- Who needs to register?
- How do I register?
- What happens to the information given on the form?
- Changes
- Application form
What is registration?
Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and moveable structures) is required by law. Registration will allow the local authority to keep a up-to-date list of all those premises in their area so they can visit them when needed. The frequency of visit will depend on the type of business.
Who needs to register?
If you run a food business within the Adur District, you must tell (or arrange for someone else to tell) us 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 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 us 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 registrations eg. 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 us if you think you might be exempt. An irregular event such as a church supper, village fete, fund-raising event or school barbeque would be exempt.
How do I register?
By filling in the form below on-line and delivering it to us. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. 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, 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. If you have any questions we will help you. It is an offence to give information that you know to be false.
What happens to the information given on the form?
We maintain a Register of addresses and the type of business carried on at each.
Changes
Once you have registered with us, you only need notify us of a change of food business operator, if the nature of the business changes, or if there is a change of the address at which moveable premises are kept. The new food business operator will have to complete a new application form.
If we wish to change the entry in the Register because of information which we receive from someone else you will be given 28 days notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed change.
Application form
- Food premises registration (application) - this form can be filled out on screen, but it requires a signature so it has to be printed out, signed and returned.
