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Register a food business

To store, prepare, distribute or sell food you need to be registered with the local authority where the premises is located.

Premises include restaurants, cafés, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans.

Some manufacturers handling products of animal origin may need to be approved by the local authority or the Food Standards Agency, rather than registered.

If you are not sure whether your business needs to be approved or registered, please contact the Council’s Environmental Health Commercial Team using the contact details below.

The Council keeps a public register of food premises, which is available on request by emailing env.health@north-herts.gov.uk.

Apply online

If you are unable to complete an online registration form please contact us on 01462 474000.

What does it cost?

Registration is free but must be completed at least 28 days before opening your business.

What happens to the information given at registration?

We will enter the details of your food business on our register. A register of addresses and the type of business carried out at each premises in the District will be open to inspection by the general public. Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available.

What happens next?

We will acknowledge your application by letter and aim to visit your premises as soon as possible.  However, once the 28 days from registering your business has passed, you do not need to wait for a visit, once registered for 28 days you are free to trade as a food business.

What happens if something changes?

Once you have registered you need to notify us is the business proprietor (including the limited company) changes as a new proprietor must complete an application form.  If the nature of the business changes or the address at which movable premises are kept changes please contact us at env.health@north-herts.gov.uk.

Applicant/Licence Holder Redress

If you are unhappy about the way that we have dealt with your application, the Council has a formal mechanism for dealing with such issues. Please see our Comments, Compliments & Complaints page or call our Customer Service Team on 01462 474000.

Other useful contacts

Chilled Food Association

National Federation of Meat and Food Traders

Food Standards Agency

National Craft Butchers