Food Business - Registration

To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises or from home you need to be registered with Environmental Health. This means all premises including; restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans, food delivery vans and domestic premises.

Before you start trading (at least 28 days prior) you need to:

  1. Apply online: Registration Form
  2. If you intend to supply "hot food and hot drink", between the hours of 11pm and 5am then the activities will be licensable, and you will require a late night refreshment licence.

Advisory Visit

To help you prepare for your food hygiene inspection, we offer a 'Food Premises Advisory Visit', where an Officer visits you and offers guidance on:

  • Food Safety Management Systems
  • The current level of compliance for hygiene and structure of your premises
  • How you can comply with the Regulations ahead of your inspection
  • Provide you with an electronic copy of Safer Food Better Business, if you do not have a copy already.

From 1 January 2024, there is a charge for advisory visits, please see the council’s Fees and Charges.

The advisory visit includes a visit to your premises and follow up report giving advice and guidance. To book an advisory visit contact us via email at ehtechsupport@staffordbc.gov.uk or by phone on 01785 619402.

Our Economic Growth Team aims to develop the economy and support business in the Stafford area by providing free business advice.

If you need further advice or information regarding starting or developing your business contact the team on 01785 619000 or email them on economy@staffordbc.gov.uk.

Further information on business support available to you

If you have any questions regarding food business contact us.

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