By law, any premises used in connection with a food business (this includes market stalls, delivery vehicles and mobile food vehicles) must be registered with the council in which the premises is located. In the instance of a mobile premises, the proprietor must register the vehicle with the council in the area where the vehicle is stored.

The purpose of registration is to provide the council with information about food businesses in order to carry out effectively its statutory functions. There is no charge for registration and the council cannot refuse to register a premises. 

A 'food premises' is any premises that is used for storing, selling, distributing, or preparing food.

Regulation EC No 852/2004 on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs Article 6(2) requires anyone running a food business for five or more days in any five consecutive weeks to register the premises from wherever the business operates.

To register

• Complete and return the relevant form (see 'Downloads') at least 28 days before the start of the business.
• Ensure that the business complies with the requirements of the Food Hygiene England Regulations 2006. Advice packs and visits are available on request.
• The premises then may be subject to a visit prior to opening and thereafter at intervals in accordance with the Council's inspection programme.
• For a list of exemptions please see 'Downloads'.

In addition certain types of food businesses on the basis of their activities need to be approved under Regulation EC No 853/2004 on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs, rather than registered, including those producing the following foods:

• meat and meat products
• eggs
• milk and dairy products
• fish and fish products

Food business operators whose establishments may require approval should approach the relevant local authority.