Food business guide

All business premises used for a food business must be registered.

If you are thinking of setting up a food business - from a manufacturing plant, to a mobile catering van, through to a restaurant or coffee shop - there is a lot to consider before you can serve your first customer.

If you are a local food related business or are planning to set up a food related business in Lichfield District, we offer free thirty-minute phone consultations to provide food safety advice. During the consultations we can offer advice on how to register, what issue to consider, what documentation you need in place and what things you need to think about. Appointments are available Monday - Friday, 2pm - 4.30pm.

Book a free food safety advice appointment

You must also register with us at least 28 days before opening your business to customers. If you have a mobile food business, you need to register with the local authority where your mobile unit/vehicle is stored.

Registration is free and we will send you an acknowledgement letter to confirm we have received your registration.

We will then make arrangements to inspect your business to ensure your are complying with the food safety legislation, to offer you guidance on the requirements and to issue your business with a food hygiene rating where applicable.

Please note that as long as you have the necessary hygiene arrangements and you have submitted your registration form, you can start trading before you have had this inspection.

The inspection will normally be unannounced unless you are running a food business from home, in which case we will contact you to arrange a date.