Food Business Registration

All premises used for a food business are required by law to be registered. This includes market stalls, delivery vehicles and other mobile food premises. Registration allows local authorities to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in their area so they can visit them when they need to. Application for registration should be made by food business operators in respect of new food business establishments at least 28 days before commencing food operations.

Once the 28-day period has elapsed, you may start to trade regardless of whether or not you have spoken to an officer.

A food business is anywhere storing or serving food or drink whether for profit or not. However, there are some exemptions for charity groups. If you handle, prepare, store and serve food occasionally and on a small scale, you do not need to register.

If you are just starting out in the food trade then we would recommend you read the Food Standards Agency's information about starting a food business (external link) and food hygiene for businesses (external link) before registering your business.

Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. However, if you register too far ahead of opening, or appear to have ceased trading, then we will remove the entry.

If there are any significant changes to premises or the operation, then the food business operator must re-submit a food business establishment registration form to the Local Authority.

There is no charge for registration. 

Public register

A register of addresses and the type of business carried out at these will be open to inspection by the public

For further information please contact the Commercial Team at foodandsafety@eastcambs.gov.uk or call 01353 665555.