Food premises do not currently require a licence to trade in food. However, under Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Article 6(2), food business operators must register food establishments under their control with the local environmental health department. Food establishments include market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures.
Registration enables the us to keep an up-to-date list of all premises operating in Eden. All premises are subject to an inspection by an Environmental Health Officer from our Food, Health and Safety Team. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of business.
Anyone running a food business must tell the Council about any premises used for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food. Food premises include 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 and so on.
If anyone uses a vehicle for a food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop, or warehouse, it is only necessary to tell the Council how many vehicles are used in the business. It is not necessary to register each vehicle separately. If a food business uses one or more vehicles but there is no permanent premises, the food business operator 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.
There are no specific exemptions for food businesses from the need to be registered. However, registration is not required for primary production for private or domestic use or to domestic preparation, handling or storage of food for private domestic consumption.
Bed and breakfast accommodation with less than three letting bedrooms was previously exempt, but changes in the law now mean they have to be registered.
It is not necessary to register if food is being handled at a one off event or if food is prepared occasionally for coffee mornings or charity functions, for example. The law says that to be considered a food business, there needs to be a certain continuity of activities and a certain degree of organisation.
By filling in an Application Form for Registration of Food Premises. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. The registration form must be sent to the local authority in whose area the food premises are located. If the form is sent to the wrong address, the application will not take effect until it is received at the proper place. If premises are used in more than one local authority area, each premises must be registered with each authority separately.
When completing the application all the boxes which apply to the business must be ticked, all the questions answered and all the information requested must be given. Seasonal businesses operating for a certain period each year should give the dates between which they will be open.
The Food, Health and Safety Team will be pleased to answer any questions. It is an offence to give information which you know is false.
What happens to the information given on the form?
The Council will enter the details on its Register. A register of name and address and the type of business carried on at the premises will be open to inspection by the general public.
Once registered with the local authority, it is only necessary to notify them of a change of proprietor, if the nature of the business changes, or if there is a change of the address at which moveable premises are kept. The new proprietor will have to complete a Food Premises Registration Form.
Application for the registration of Food Business Establishment (PDF: 44Kb / pages)Establishment (Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs, Article 6(2))
For further information
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Contact: Food, Health and Safety Team
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Email: env.health@eden.gov.uk
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Telephone: 01768 212491
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Fax: 01768 890372
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Address: Environmental Services Section, Mansion House, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7YG
