When starting up a new catering business it is very important to get things right at the start because it will make it much easier for you to run your business well in the future.
Food poisoning can be disastrous for a new business – word gets around.
Register Your Food Business Online
To open a food business in Eastbourne you must register your business with the council's Environmental Health service, at least 28 days before opening. Registration is free.
You can download the Food Premises Registration Form in PDF format below, or apply online in Eastbourne through Business Link in the South East. If you are outside Eastbourne, contact Environmental Health at your 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. If you use two or more premises, you will need to register all of them.
If food premises are used by several catering businesses, such as a community hall or conference centre, the person who allows the premises to be used for this purpose is responsible for registering them.
There is also information about registration for childminders in this section.
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 - for full details go to our Food Premises Approval page.
What Else Do You Need to Do?
Find out more about starting up in this section, download or order the booklet Starting Up - Your First Steps to Running a Catering Business, or visit the Food Standards Agency Starting Up website.
