Food business registration
To open a food business you must register with the councils at least 28 days before opening. This is required by law. Registration is free.
Register a food business online
To register your food business with Lewes district or Eastbourne borough council, complete the online form on gov.uk (external link):
Gov.uk - register a food business
Note: if your business is outside Eastbourne or the Lewes district, you should contact that area's local, district or city council.
Who needs to register?
Registration applies to most types of food business, including catering businesses run from home and mobile or temporary premises, such as stalls and vans.
Other types of food businesses
Certain types of food premises - businesses that make, prepare or handle food of animal origin for supply to other businesses must be approved by the council, rather than registered. Check our Food premises approval page to see if your business needs to be approved instead of registered.
Childminders
Food safety is very important to childminders, because children are a vulnerable group, which means they can be more seriously affected by food poisoning than adults. Food hygiene regulations apply to childminders who prepare food.
If you are starting a childminding business you must register with Ofsted who should pass your details on to us if you prepare food. You no longer need to register with us directly.
Bespoke food hygiene advice for new food business
If you are starting a new food business, we provide a pre-inspection advice service to new food businesses with an opportunity to address any food safety, structure and administrative issues before an initial food hygiene inspection.
Fees
We charge a fee for this service. We can offer an online consultation for £60 or onsite visit consultation for £110.
A typical online assessment should take about 1½ hours. However, this may vary depending on the size and nature of your food business
You can pay here - Pay a licensing fee
How to us this service?
Pre-application advice enquiries can be submitted via email to [email protected] - please remember to email with your payment receipt number.
What service will I receive?
On receipt of your enquiry, you will receive a confirmation email requiring you to complete an initial visit questionnaire and provide copied of your food safety management system (HACCP) Please attach any sketch plans or photos of the food preparation areas when you email us.
Once your questionnaire has been assessed you will be contacted by email within five working days by the Food Safety Officer that will be assisting you who will either arrange a video call or site visit to discuss the issues and provide advice and guidance.
a written summary of the matters discussed, and any actions required ahead of your initial inspection will be provided at the end.
Please note that this service cannot guarantee a 5 star rating following your initial inspection.
