Advice for new businesses

If you are starting up a new food business or taking over an existing one, you must register it with the food and safety team.

If you are starting up a new food business, we suggest that you discuss your plans with the food and safety team so that there is a chance to sort out any problems before you start trading. We are happy to visit premises and talk through your proposals; however, although officers can give general advice, food business operators may need to employ a specialist to give detailed assistance concerning food safety. You can get in touch with the team using the contact details on the right.

More advice for new food businesses can also be found in the Food Standards Agency booklet "Starting up - your first steps to running a catering business" which can be downloaded from the right of the page.