Register a food business
All food businesses that prepare, store, sell or distribute food in Hackney must be registered and it is a legal requirement for you to register.
The registration requirement applies to new businesses and if you are taking over an existing food business. There is no charge for registration and it does not need to be renewed.
You can begin trading once you have registered and you do not need to wait for an inspection before you start to operate. Some food businesses may need to be licensed before trading for example if you intend to sell alcohol or sell hot food after 11pm.
See our licensing pages for more information.
Register
Complete the registration form, answering all of the questions that apply to your business.
You can also complete the forms below and return a hard copy or email it to the address on the form:
The form must be submitted at least 28 days before you start trading. We will confirm your registration when we receive your completed form.
What happens after registering?
Once registered your food business will appear in the food premises register which is available to the public. Details of personal and other information are not publicly available and will not be disclosed outside the Council, local government and government agencies.
Inspection
After registration, your business will be inspected by one of our food safety officers to ensure that you comply with relevant food law and to provide advice. Inspections are usually unannounced but appointments will be made for businesses operating from domestic premises.
After the inspection
After the inspection you will be given a food hygiene risk rating that determines how often you will be inspected which will be between every 6 months and every 3 years. If you supply food directly to the public, you will be given a rating between 0 and 5 under the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Your rating will appear on the Food Standards Agency website so that the public can check your score.
Guidance
Visit the Food Standards Agency for guidance for new food businesses.
Inform us of any changes
Once you have registered, you only need to tell us if the business closes, there is a change of owner or the type of business changes. Please contact us by email technicalbusinesssupport@hackney.gov.uk to inform us of any changes.