| Are you thinking of opening a food outlet in the | | | | keep accurate records of all your income and |
| United Kingdom? If so, there any a number of | | | | expenditure. Also note that you might need planning |
| important issues to address at the outset. If you do | | | | permission from your Local Authority if you will be |
| not get these right to begin with, you could end up | | | | making changes to your premises. The design and |
| with problems in the future. | | | | construction of your premises must meet legal |
| Even before operating out of your premises, it is | | | | requirements with regard to health and safety and |
| compulsory to register with the Environmental Health | | | | also fire regulations. You must ensure that all your |
| Service Department of your Local Authority. You | | | | food and drink is described honestly and accurately. |
| must register at least twenty-eight days before | | | | For example, if you describe your food or drink as |
| opening a food outlet and it is free to register. | | | | organic, fair trade or free range, you must ensure |
| Registration is obligatory whether you are running a | | | | that your goods are indeed as described. If you plan |
| catering business from home, a restaurant franchise | | | | to sell alcohol you will need to apply for the |
| or temporary premises such as mobile catering vans | | | | appropriate licence from your council. Permission will |
| or market stalls and each individual outlet must be | | | | also be needed if you plan to sell hot food after |
| registered. Sometimes premises may be used by | | | | eleven at night and you may need an entertainment |
| more than one catering venture, such as a | | | | licence if you plan to host live acts. |
| conference centre or a community hall. In these | | | | Also very important when opening a food outlet is to |
| cases, it is the responsibility of the owner of the | | | | ensure that you and your staff have received |
| premises to register them. Registering on line with | | | | appropriate training and understand the principles of |
| the Environmental Health Service when opening a | | | | good food hygiene, in order to prevent food |
| food outlet is now possible with many Local | | | | poisoning. Food safety management procedures will |
| Authorities. Other Local Authorities require the form | | | | need to be set up and adhered to and accurate |
| to be posted, faxed or emailed, although application | | | | records of these will need to be kept. If you are |
| downloads is now nearly always available. | | | | employing paid staff, you must keep records of their |
| There are other important tasks to carry out before | | | | pay and ensure that the correct tax and National |
| opening a food outlet. You will have to think about | | | | Insurance contributions are paid. You will need to |
| registering for Valued Added Tax (VAT) and might | | | | contact your council with regard to sorting out waste |
| also need to register as self-employed and you will | | | | and recycling collection and ensure that any local |
| probably have to pay business rates. You will need to | | | | byelaws are adhered to. |