How much is a food license in the UK without a?

Registering a food business with your local authority in the UK is free. There is no cost to register, and registration cannot be refused. This legal requirement applies to all businesses that sell, store, prepare, or distribute food. Registration must be completed at least 28 days before trading.

How much does a food license cost in the UK?

How Much Does a Food Licence Cost in the UK? One of the most common questions we hear is, “How much is a food license UK?” The answer: registration is free for most food businesses.

Can you sell food without a license in the UK?

Registration is a legal requirement it is free and cannot be refused. Registration applies to all businesses that store, sell, distribute or prepare food or drink. Once you have submitted a signed food business registration form you are can begin to trade.

How to get a licence to sell food in the UK?

When you start a new food business or take over an existing business, you must register with your local authority. You should do this at least 28 days before trading or before food operations start. Do not register too early.

Can I cook food at home and sell it in the UK?

While you may not define yourself as a business, if you are providing food on a regular and organised basis, you are a food business under food law. Once you have registered as a food business, local authority officers will make arrangements to visit your home to conduct a food hygiene inspection.

How Much Does it Cost to get a Food License in the U.K. ( FULL PODCAST BREAKDOWN)

What food can I make at home and sell?

✅ Foods Commonly Allowed Under Cottage Food Laws

Baked Goods: Cookies, muffins, and breads that don't contain cream fillings. These are popular at farmers' markets because they're easy to package and transport. Cakes & Cupcakes: Allowed if they're shelf‑stable (no whipped cream, custard, or cream cheese frostings).

Who is exempt from registering as a food business?

places where the main activity is not food-related (for example, a barber providing coffee) places where food is only sold through vending machines. certain agricultural premises, motor cars, tents and marquees (but not stalls) some domestic premises.

What is the most profitable food to sell in the UK?

Pizza and pasta

Italian food is a firm favourite among the UK population and can be far more profitable than other cuisines. As well as its popularity, a big reason behind its success is the fact that a large proportion of the menu is pizza- or pasta-based and therefore relatively cheap to produce.

What certificates do I need to sell food from home?

You are required to have food hygiene training and you should be able to show that you have had suitable training. A certificate in food hygiene would be acceptable. Find out more about food safety training on the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website.

What license do I need to sell food from a van in the UK?

Food hygiene certificate: While not a legal necessity for preparing or trading food, it is highly recommended that anyone setting up a food van gets at least a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering certificate.

How to get a food certificate in the UK?

Find training

There are a several organisations offering level 2 food safety training to gain a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Safety. If you decide to use another training provider, make sure they're accredited by the CIEH.

Can I park my food truck anywhere in the UK?

No, you cannot park your food truck anywhere in the UK; you need local council permission, often a street trading licence, as each authority has designated areas (consent streets) and prohibited zones, with fines for unlicensed operation, so always check with the specific council for rules on public land and landowner consent for private property. 

What business is least likely to fail?

Top 10 Businesses with the Lowest Failure Rates in 2025

1. Mobile Home Parks. ...
2. Laundromats. ...
3. Self-Storage Facilities. ...
4. Essential Home Services (Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC) ...
5. Accounting and Bookkeeping Services. ...
6. IT Support and Services. ...
7. Real Estate (Rental Properties) ...
8. Grocery Stores and Essential Retail.

Which food is best to sell?

7 most profitable restaurant foods

• Burgers. Burgers are not only an American favorite but also a profitable choice for restaurant operators. ...
• Pizzas. Pizza is versatile and can offer substantial profits. ...
• Pasta dishes. ...
• Sandwiches. ...
• Vegetables and vegetarian dishes. ...
• Soups and stews. ...
• Fried foods.

What business to start with 20k in the UK?

Digital Publications and Training: Develop and market eBooks or online courses, an excellent low-cost business option under £20k. Pet Care Services: Capitalise on the growing pet market by offering walking or sitting services within a £20k cost framework.

What is the 2 hour 4 hour rule for food safety?

The 2-hour/4-hour food safety rule dictates how long potentially hazardous foods (like cooked meats, dairy, cooked rice) can safely stay in the "temperature danger zone" (between 40°F/4°C and 140°F/60°C) before bacteria grow to unsafe levels, requiring disposal after 4 hours or sooner in hot weather. If food is out less than 2 hours, refrigerate it; between 2-4 hours, it's still okay to eat but should be refrigerated quickly; over 4 hours, discard it immediately to prevent food poisoning.
 

What is the 30/30/30/10 rule for restaurants?

The 30/30/30/10 rule for restaurants is a budgeting guideline allocating revenue: 30% to Food Costs, 30% to Labor Costs, 30% to Overhead, and 10% to Profit. It serves as a balanced framework for managing expenses, controlling spending, and ensuring profitability, though modern realities often make hitting the 10% profit target difficult, with many restaurants averaging much lower.
 

Do I need to declare my small business?

If you're self-employed, you don't have to register yourself as a business with Companies House, only with HMRC for self-assessment. However, if you do wish to set up a limited company, you can't trade legally as that business entity until you've registered with Companies House.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for food?

Remember this general rule of thumb when you have leftovers. ✅ You have 2 hours to get food into the fridge. ✅ It's safe in the fridge for 2 days. ✅ If you're not going to eat it after that, move it to the freezer and eat within 2 months.

What is the easiest food to sell?

Fries are a low-cost, high-margin food that's easy to prepare and universally popular. The cost of ingredients—potatoes and oil—is minimal, while adding specialty seasonings or toppings can increase the value perceived by customers. Fries are also easy to upsell, especially when bundled with items like burgers.

Can I sell food I've made at home?

If you sell, cook, store, handle, prepare or distribute, you may be considered a food business and will need to register with your local authority (Opens in a new window). This includes food businesses trading: from physical customer-facing premises. from home.

What baked goods can I sell from home?

From chewy cookies to lemon bars and ice cream cone cupcakes, these bake sale ideas are sweet, shareable and perfect for school events or community fundraisers. There's a reason bake sales are timeless; they bring people together over sweets that spark smiles.

Do I need a food hygiene certificate to sell food from home?

The same rules apply – you don't have to have a food hygiene certificate legally, but the Food Standards Agency recommends that you pursue a qualification. The Environmental Health Officer that visits will decides your food hygiene rating and whether you are ready to serve food to the public.

Do I need insurance to sell food?

Strict Licensing Obligations: Whether you operate a central kitchen or a catering stall at a weekend market, London boroughs require proof of insurance as a condition of your license. Without it, you cannot legally trade.