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Setting Up a Food Business

The following sections of this booklet will help you to interpret the requirements of the regulations and achieve a good standard of food hygiene.

If you are running a food business or thinking of starting one you will need to ensure that the food (or drink) you will be producing is both safe and wholesome.  Setting up a food business will need careful planning to avoid practical, economic and legal pitfalls.

Our officers are only pleased to help and advise you on the relevant aspects of your plans at an early stage.  Please phone the City Helpdesk on 023 9283 4253. 

You may also need to consult or gain approval from other departments in the City Council, such as Planning, Building Control and Licensing.

If you are starting a food business in premises which are presently not used for this purpose you may need to obtain planning permission.  This will probably not apply if you just want to start a retail food business in a building already used as a different type of retail shop but may apply if you wish to start a hot food takeaway or restaurant.

Please check these aspects before you begin to operate your food business.

It is important not to assume that an established business complies with the law so before taking over an established business you are advised to contact the Directorate of Environment and Transport, Public Protection Service, Portsmouth City Council, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AZ.  Telephone: 023 9283 4253      Email: cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk  

Some food businesses will need to carry out extra work not detailed here to comply with more specific requirements.  These include manufacturers of meat products, meat preparations or milk, egg and fish products.