How to open a café in the UK: the steps in order

1. Check the planning use of the premises

In England, since 1 September 2020, a café or restaurant where food and drink is mostly eaten on the premises is in Class E (commercial, business and service). A hot food takeaway, where food is mostly eaten off the premises, is "sui generis" and a new or changed use generally needs planning permission. If you expect a large share of your trade to be takeaway or delivery, speak to your council's planning team before you sign a lease. Source: GOV.UK, Public Health England addendum on hot food takeaways and the Use Class Order.

2. Register as a food business, 28 days before opening

Register each premises with the local authority it is in, using the online food business registration service. Registration is free and can't be refused. The Food Standards Agency says to register at least 28 days before you start trading, and not much earlier. It covers food sold from premises, from home, from mobile units and online. If you use more than one trading name, such as a delivery platform listing, you can include all of them on one registration. Source: GOV.UK, "Starting a food business".

3. Get the premises right

The FSA's premises rules apply to the whole building, not only the kitchen. In summary:

• enough wash basins for everyone working there, with hot and cold running water and hygienic hand-drying;
• adequate ventilation, lighting and drainage;
• floors, walls, ceilings and surfaces in food areas that are in good condition and easy to clean and disinfect;
• facilities to wash food and equipment, with hot and cold water;
• secure food waste disposal, and grease management so fat, oil and grease don't go down the sink;
• pest control; and
• a fire risk assessment for the premises.

4. Put food safety procedures in place

Food businesses must use HACCP-based food safety procedures. The FSA's Safer Food Better Business packs are a standard way to do this in England and Wales. A food hygiene certificate is not compulsory, but the FSA recommends a qualification and says you must be able to show you are adequately trained. Keep traceability records of who supplies you.

5. Allergens: the 14 and your menu

You must tell customers if any dish contains one of the 14 specified allergens (celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites, and tree nuts). Keep allergen information current for every dish. See allergen information for online orders, and use the free allergen matrix to build a chart for your dishes.

6. Your first food hygiene inspection

After you register, your local authority decides when to inspect, and inspections are usually unannounced. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme scores businesses from 0 to 5. The FSA notes that higher-risk businesses are prioritised, so a first inspection can sometimes be several months away. See food hygiene ratings for takeaways.

7. Tax, staff and other permissions

• Tell HMRC if you are self-employed. A limited company is a separate route.
• If you have five or more employees you need a written health and safety policy.
• Check every employee's right to work in the UK before they start.
• Check for licences or permits that apply to you, such as a pavement licence from your council for tables outside, a premises licence if you sell alcohol, or a late night refreshment licence if you sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am. See late night refreshment licence UK.

8. How customers will order

Decide before you open whether you will take orders for collection or delivery as well as eat-in. Taking orders on your own website keeps repeat customers on a channel you control and avoids marketplace commission; Chefzi takes orders on your own site with 0% commission from £9 a month per location billed annually (£12 monthly, excluding VAT), with the first month free and no credit card required. Orders ring in the Chefzi app on a phone or tablet you already own. See online ordering for cafés and bakeries and click and collect for takeaways.

Sources

• GOV.UK, Starting a food business (Food Standards Agency, last updated 19 August 2026), read 10 Nov 2026: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/starting-a-food-business
• GOV.UK, Addendum: Hot food takeaways use in the new Use Class Order (updated 19 February 2021), read 10 Nov 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthy-weight-environments-using-the-planning-system/addendum-hot-food-takeaways-use-in-the-new-use-class-order