Opening a food or drink business in England involves more than finding the right location. Before you trade, you need the right planning permission, licences and registrations, and getting the order wrong can cost months. This guide sets out the steps from finding premises to opening day.
1. Find premises and check the planning use
Before you sign anything, check the property's planning use class and any planning conditions, such as opening hours or restrictions on cooking and extraction. Restaurants and cafés usually fall within Class E, while takeaways, pubs and bars need their own planning permission. If the use is wrong, you may need a change of use application.
It is also worth checking whether the premises has a licensing history and whether it is in a cumulative impact area, where new licences are harder to obtain.
2. Agree the lease
Where possible, make the lease conditional on obtaining planning permission and a premises licence. Most commercial leases also require the landlord's written consent, usually a licence to alter, before you carry out works such as a new shopfront or extraction system.
3. Apply for planning permission
Common applications for food businesses include change of use, kitchen extraction, air conditioning units and new shopfronts. Illuminated signs may need advertisement consent, and listed buildings need listed building consent. Councils aim to decide minor applications within 8 weeks.
4. Apply for a premises licence
You need a premises licence to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment such as music, or serve hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am. The application includes an operating schedule, a plan of the premises and a 28-day public consultation. For a one-off event before your licence is granted, a Temporary Event Notice may be an option.
5. Get a personal licence for your DPS
If you sell alcohol, your Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) must hold a personal licence. The first step is the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH), a one-day course.
Tip: steps 3, 4 and 5 can run at the same time, which can save several weeks.
6. Register your food business
Register with your local council at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration is free, and the council may arrange a food hygiene inspection.
7. Fit-out, safety and training
During fit-out, make sure the works meet building regulations. You also need a fire risk assessment, a food safety management system and risk assessments. Staff handling food should be trained in food hygiene, and health and safety training helps you meet your legal duties as an employer.
8. Final checks before opening
- A pavement licence if you want tables and chairs outside
- Business rates registration
- A trade waste contract
- Insurance, including public and employers' liability
- A music licence if you play music
9. Open and stay compliant
Once you open, expect a food hygiene inspection from the council. Keep to your licence conditions, keep records such as a refusals log, and keep staff training up to date. Breaching licence conditions can lead to a licence review.
Frequently asked questions
What are the legal requirements for opening a café in the UK?
In England you need the right planning use for the premises, food business registration with the council, trained food handlers and a food safety management system, and a fire risk assessment. A premises licence is also needed if you sell alcohol or hot food late at night.
What qualifications do I need to open my own café?
No formal qualification is needed to own a café, but anyone handling food must be trained in food hygiene, usually through a Level 2 Food Hygiene course. If you sell alcohol, your DPS needs a personal licence, which requires the APLH qualification.
How much does it cost to get a food licence in the UK?
In England most cafés and restaurants do not need a food licence. Instead, you register your food business with the local council, and registration is free.
Do I need a licence to sell takeaway food?
Only if you sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am, or sell alcohol. In those cases you need a premises licence.
Need help opening your business?
Anka Group helps new restaurants, cafés, bars and takeaways across England and Wales with planning permission, premises licences, pavement licences and staff training. We work in English and Turkish.
Contact us for a free initial consultation.