Food Registration Guidance

What is Registration?
Registration of a premises used for a food (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. Registration will allow 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. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of premises.

Who Needs to Register?
If you run a food business, you must tell (or arrange for someone else to tell) the local authority about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food. Food premises includes restaurants, hotels, cafes, shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, kitchens in offices, warehouses, guest houses, delivery vehicles, buffet cars on trains, market and other stalls, hot dog and ice cream vans etc.

If you use vehicles for your business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop or a warehouse, you only need to tell the local authority how many vehicles you have. You do not need to register each vehicle separately. If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell the authority where they are normally kept.

Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before doing so.

All food businesses must be registered with the local authority

How do I register?
By completing the online form or by downloading a form to complete and return to the Health Protection Team at Winchester City Council. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. If you use premises in more than one local authority area, you must register with each authority separately.

Alternatively you can apply on line using the Governments Business Link website. By clicking on the links below you will be directed to their site.

Registration of a food business establishment
Application to change a food premises registration - Not available yet

You must tick all the boxes which apply to your business, answer all the questions and give all the information requested.

After you have submitted the form Winchester City Council will enter the details on its Register. A register of addresses and the type of business carried on at each will be open to inspection by the general public. Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available.

Changes
Once you have registered with the City Council you only need to notify them where there has a change of proprietor, where the nature of the business changes, or where there is a change of the address at which movable premises are kept. The new proprietor will have to complete an application form.

If the Local Authority wishes to change the entry in the Register because of information which it receives from someone else you will be given 28 days notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.

Approval

If you intend to make, prepare or handle food of animal origin (e.g. meat, fish or dairy) for supply to other businesses, then the food business and its activities in most circumstances will require what is known as approval. Further information on the approved premises process can be found on our approved premises guidance page.

Downloads:

File format	File title	File size / Download time
	Food Registration Form	124K 56Kbps Modem: 18 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second