Registration of food businesses

What is registration?

Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. Registration will allow local authorities to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in their area so we can visit them when we need to. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of business.

Please note this information only applies to businesses operating in the Tamworth Borough Council area. If you are operating elsewhere you should contact your local council.

Who needs to register?

If you run a food business you must tell us about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food. Food premises includes restaurants, hotels, cafés, shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, kitchens in offices, warehouses, guest houses, delivery vehicles, market and other stalls, hot dog and ice cream vans, etc.

If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop, or warehouse, you only need to tell the council how many vehicles you have. You do not need to register each vehicle separately. If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell the council where they are normally kept. We ask that you register with the council where you keep the mobile vehicle overnight.

Anyone starting a new food business must register with the council at least 28 days before doing so.

Sites will exist on which there are two or more food business establishments under the control of the same food business operator. For example, in the case of a shopping centre in which there are two or more food business establishments under the control of the same business operator, such operators must ensure that each establishment under their control is registered separately. Food business operators should complete a registration form for each separate establishment.

Sites will also exist on which there are two or more food business establishments under the control of different food business operators. For example, a supermarket may have a coffee shop on site under the control of a different food business operator such as a coffee shop chain. In such cases the coffee shop will not be covered by the supermarket registration and must be registered in it's own right by it's operator. Coffee shops, snack bars etc. operated by the supermarket itself would be covered as part of the supermarket's registration.

How do I register?

By filling in the form attached on the right hand side. Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge. The form must be returned to the address given on the form.

What happens to the information given on the form?

The full information you provide will not be disclosed outside of Tamworth Borough Council, local government departments and government agencies. The details will be used for the purpose of registration, enforcement and the protection of public funds

We will enter the addresses and type of business on our register. This register will be open to inspection by the general public . Records of the other information provided will not be publicly available.

What about changes?

Once you have registered you only need to notify us of a change of Food Business Operator, if the nature of the business changes, of if there is a change of address at which moveable premises are kept. The new Food Business Operator will have to complete the form.