Register a food business
If you use a commercial or domestic premises within the Horsham district to undertake
- storage
- preparation
- packing
- selling
- or other distribution
of food which is to be supplied to the public, then you may be legally required to register as a food business with us.
All new food businesses must register with us at least 28 days before opening.
If you are making significant changes to an existing business, such as a change of trading name or the address or a moveable premises, you must tell us within 28 days of the change.
Examples of food businesses include restaurants, hotels, cafes, shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, kitchens in offices, warehouses, guest houses, lunch clubs, children nurseries offering snacks, caterers or bakers working from home, delivery vehicles, buffet cars on trains, market and other stalls, and burger, hot dog or ice cream vans, amongst others.
There are some exceptions based on factors such the frequency of operation. Parents baking cakes for a school fair a few times per year are not considered to be a food business, for example. If you are unsure whether you need to register, please email ehl@horsham.gov.uk
for advice.
How to register your food business
To register your food business, click the button below and fill in the online form.
PLEASE ONLY REGISTER IF YOUR BUSINESS WILL BE OPERATING AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH
There is no charge for registration and local authorities cannot refuse to register premises.
If you have premises in more than one Local Authority area, you must register with each Authority separately. However, in the case of a movable premises operating in various Local Authority areas, you should register with the Authority where the vehicle or stall is primarily stored, normally overnight, rather than where you normally trade.
Registration is required under Article 6 of EC 852/2004.
After you register
Our target completion period is 28 days from the date you apply. If you have not heard from us by then, Tacit Consent applies. This means you will be able to act as though your application has been granted.
Once granted, your registration will not run out. However, you must tell us if you make any changes to the business after your original registration. Email us at ehl@horsham.gov.uk
Register for Business Rates
Business rates, also known as national non-domestic rates, are a tax on those responsible for commercial property. Business rates contribute to local services - they are they equivalent of Council Tax for non-domestic properties.