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If you are starting a food business, you must register with or get approval from the Royal Borough of Greenwich before opening.

Registration is required for businesses such as:

  • restaurants, pubs and cafes
  • hotels
  • shops (including supermarkets, newsagents, off-licences and petrol stations)
  • staff canteens
  • warehouses
  • food storage units
  • market stalls
  • hospitals
  • schools and nurseries

If you run your business from a mobile unit such as an ice-cream van or food trailer, you must register with the local authority where you store your vehicle overnight. This may mean you do not register with us if you live outside the borough.

If you supply food for free to the public regularly, you must be registered. This includes food banks and community fridges.

How to register

You must register at least 28 days before you open your business. It is an offence to sell food without registration.

There is no charge to register and you do not need to renew your registration.

Apply to register a food business (GOV.UK)

Once you register, your details will be available on a public register. Anyone can request a copy of the public register from the local authority.

If you want to provide hot food and drink between 11pm and 5am, you also need to apply for a late-night refreshment premises licence.

What activities do not need to be registered

You do not need to register if your food activities are:

  • part of a business that requires approval
  • infrequent, such as one-off events
  • for friends and family only
  • sold through vending machines
  • as part of childminding duties as a childminder registered with Ofsted

When you need approval

You need to get approval for your business instead of registration if you produce, repack or store foods containing animal products and supply these to other businesses. This includes products such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy and eggs.

If any part of your business requires approval, you cannot operate this part of your business until you have received approval or conditional approval.

If you are found to be operating without approval, we will take formal action to stop the business from operating until you have approval. This may include you having to recall or withdraw products you have already sold or supplied.

It is free to apply for approval.

Email food.concerns@royalgreenwich.gov.uk to apply or check if you need approval.

Once we have approved your premises, we will forward your details to the Food Standards Agency to keep on a central register.

Keeping your premises information updated

Whether your premises is registered or approved, you must:

  • make sure we have up-to-date information about your business
  • inform us if you are planning to make significant changes to your business, including closure

Find out more about getting ready to start your food business on the Food Standards Agency website.

After registering your food business

You'll be inspected by a Food Safety Officer and given a food hygiene rating.

The rating is for the hygiene standards of the food business. It is not about the quality of the food or about the standards of service provided to customers.

If you do not agree with your rating, you can appeal or apply for a re-inspection.

Food Safety Officers will regularly inspect your premises. This ensures cleanliness and good hygiene practice.

Find out more about food law inspections and your business on the Food Standards Agency website.