Register a food business

If you are starting a new food business or taking over an existing one you must register your premises with us at least 28 days before you start operating. This is a legal requirement and we may take action if you fail to register your food business.

This includes storing, preparing, distributing or selling food and applies to most types of food business, including catering businesses run from home and mobile or temporary premises, such as market stalls and vans.

There is no charge and your registration cannot be refused. 

We maintain a list of registered establishments, a public register is also available but only contains name, address and nature of the business.

Before You Start

1. If you are starting a new food business or taking over an existing one you must register your premises with us at least 28 days before you start operating. This is a legal requirement.
2. This includes storing, preparing, distributing or selling food - restaurants, takeaways, market stalls and mobile premises. There is no charge and a registration cannot be refused. 
3. After submitting an application you must notify us of any changes to the activities stated within 28 days
4. We maintain a list of registered establishments, a public register is also available but only contains
   1. Name of the food business
   2. Address of the food business establishment
   3. Particulars and nature of the food business

Register a food business »

Once you have registered we will inspect your food business (if appropriate) and as part of the inspection and we will give you a National food hygiene rating.

Approval - if you have products of animal origin

If you handle, prepare or produce products of animal origin (e.g. meat, fish, live bivalve molluscs, dairy and eggs) and supply these to other food businesses, you must be approved.  

If you are unsure whether you require approval, please email PublicProtection@dover.gov.uk.

Apply for approval of a food business »

Privacy Statement

To provide this service Dover District Council will collect and process personal information. We may check some of the information with other sources (e.g. government departments and other councils) to verify your identity and ensure that the information you have provided is accurate.

Your personal information is being processed because it is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

Please refer to our Corporate Privacy Notice for further details on how we process your personal information and your rights. This is also available in other formats (e.g. print).