Send this page to a friend

Food Business Registration

The Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991 require most food businesses to register with the Local Authority 28 days before opening.

Who needs to register?

If you run a food business for 5 or more days in any 5 consecutive weeks, you must tell (or arrange for someone else to tell) the local authority 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 dog 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 the local authority 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.

The majority of premises have to be registered but there are certain premises which are exempt from registration. However, this does not mean that they are exempt from the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 and its associated regulations.

How Do I Register?

Registration is a simple process which involves completing this form and returning it to the address at the bottom of the page. The Authority cannot refuse registration and it is free of 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 to your business, 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 in answer to question. If you have any questions, we will help you. It is an offence to give information which you know is false.

What happens to the information given on the form?

The local authority will enter the details on its Register. A public register is maintained of addresses and the type of business carried on. Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available and will not be disclosed outside of the Council, Local Government Departments and Government Agencies.

What about Changes?

If the nature of the business changes or there is a change of proprietor or manager, it is important that you notify the Environmental Health Section and a new form should be completed.

For further information contact:

Environmental Health
Bridgnorth District Council
Westgate
Bridgnorth
WV16 5AA
Tel: 01746 713150
Email: health@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk