Class A3 is use for the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises or of hot food for consumption off the premises. A4. Class A4 is use as a public house, wine-bar or other drinking establishment. A5.
Retail A1 (generally known as general retail) includes shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes.
Class A2 is a new class of use for financial, professional and other services. This combines some of the office uses formerly in Class II, and some uses formerly within the definition of “shop” as being uses of buildings for a purpose appropriate to a shopping area.
Classes A1 (Shops), A2 (Financial and professional services), A3 (Food and drink), B1 (Business), D1 (Non-residential Institutions), D2 (Assembly and Leisure) Class F1 (Learning and non-residential institutions), formerly: D1 (Non-residential Institutions)
A5 Use Class is for hot food takeaways, where food is sold for consumption off the premises. For example, fish and chip shops, pizza shops, (fried) chicken shops, Chinese, Indian takeaways, Kebab shops etc to name a few.
AM licence (allowing you to ride a 50cc bike) if you are 16 or over. A1 licence (allowing you to ride a 125cc bike) if you are 17 or over. A2 licence (limiting you to a bike up to 35kw) if you are 19 and over. A licence (allowing you to ride any bike of any sized engine) if you are 24 or over.
WHAT USES DOES A1 COVER? One of the most common use classes is A1 use which is for shops and general retail. However, A1 use class does also cover Post offices, sandwich bars, hairdressing salons, travel agents, ticket agents, funeral directors, dry cleaners & alterations, and hire shops.
An A1 licence allows riders aged 17 and over to: Ride a light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.1kW per kg) and 125 cc (rough top speed of 60mph)
Your planning use eg A3 is irrelevant to alcohol. You will need a premises licence in order to serve alcohol and the terms of that will be thrashed out by the council, police etc. Many restaurants can serve alcohol without food being ordered as they do not have the "must be served with food" condition on their license.
Another very prevalent use is A3 use class, which is for restaurants, snack bars and cafés. This covers the sale of food and drink for consumption on and off the premises.
Hot food takeaways fall within use class A5, but ancillary sales of hot food will still be permitted within class A1. Seating can also be provided for limited consumption on the premises. However, takeaway sales of drinks and cold food must remain the dominant use to ensure there is no breach of planning law.
So what is A3 Use Class? Premises within Use Class A3 are authorised for “the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises or of hot food for consumption off the premises” which covers most restaurants and snack bars. Are there any other Use Classes which permit the sale of food?
A bakery will usually fall under class A1 (retail) or A3 (café or restaurant), depending on how you plan to operate your business. If you plan to operate on a takeaway-only basis, you can use a site with A1 classification.
NOTE: With an A3 license, you are allowed to install Microsoft Office 365 via the web, in addition to install the desktop apps on up to 5 devices. NOTE: With an A1 license, you are allowed to access Microsoft Office365 via the web ONLY. You cannot install Microsoft Office365 desktop apps.
As a starting point, A level 2 food hygiene certificate is required to satisfy a food handler's legal obligation for food safety training. However, if you are going to be responsible for other staff at your premises, you will need to ensure that you or any supervisors are trained to level 3.
Do you need planning permission to change from A1 to A3?
For example, if you are planning on turning a Class A1 hairdressing salon into another A1 retail store, it won't be necessary. Nevertheless, if you wish to change a property's commercial use class from A1 to A3 – perhaps to operate a café or restaurant where patrons can eat on-site – planning permission is needed.
Retail A1 (generally known as general retail) includes shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes. NB: See also the other uses including A2, A3, A4, A5.
Can I skip an A1 licence? Yes. Any of the licence levels—aside from the CBT certificate—can be skipped, as long as you are old enough to do so. For example, you may decide to get your CBT certification at the age of 16 and ride with this until you are 17.
At age 19 you can then apply (i.e. undertake a theory and practical test) for an 'A2 licence', which will allow you to ride motorcycles producing a maximum of 35 kW and 47hp (i.e., 395cc to 650cc bikes). Then, at age 24, you can undertake the test for a full unrestricted 'category A' licence.
Once you reach your 17th birthday, you can test for your A1 licence, skipping the AM licence altogether. Similarly, if you are 24 or older, you can choose to qualify for a CBT certificate. After a little practice, it is possible to take direct access training for a full, unrestricted A licence.
Another very prevalent use is A3 use class, which is for restaurants, snack bars and cafés. This covers the sale of food and drink for consumption on and off the premises.
If your business plan involves an all-day offering and you intend to serve alcohol you will also need to consider applying for a premises licence. While somewhat of an anomaly it is possible to obtain a license permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises for an A1 retail site.
