Advice for food businesses

Starting a new food business?

There are many things to consider when starting up and running any sort of business. This guidance is to help if you are thinking about setting up a new food business or taking over an existing one.  It is not meant to be a statement of the law.  There a 3 more pages about this:

• Legal and training requirements for a food business
• Examples of useful paperwork
• Childminders and food safety
  

Make a business plan

When you first start thinking about your food business you might want to make a business plan. Further advice on making a business plan can be found by contacting Business Gateway.

• Business Gateway website

Check with your Planning and Building Control Officer

If the place you have in mind hasn't been a food business before contact our Development Management unit for help about planning permission. 

• Planning information and guidance
  

If you are going to do work on the building you should contact our Building Standards unit about building regulations.

• Building standards and warrants
  

Going to sell alcohol?

If you are thinking of selling alcohol at your business you will need a licence.

• Alcohol licence application forms
  

Get in touch with our Licensing Unit for help with this.