How to Open a Restaurant in the UK (2026)
A restaurant has more moving parts than most food businesses — food safety, a premises, and usually alcohol, which brings two separate licences that take longer than people expect. Get the licensing started early and the food registration done on time, and the rest follows. This guide covers every step in order.
Step 1 — Premises and planning
Restaurants generally sit in Class E in England, but check the unit's planning use and whether you need a change of use or works (extraction, signage). Get landlord consent and plan a compliant kitchen.
Step 2 — Register your food business (28 days before opening)
Register with your local council at least 28 days before trading — free and can't be refused.
Step 3 — Food safety, hygiene and allergens
A written HACCP system (the free Safer Food, Better Business pack), Level 2 Food Hygiene training, and a council inspection giving your Food Hygiene Rating (0–5). Provide allergen information; Natasha's Law applies to prepacked-for-direct-sale items.
Step 4 — Alcohol licensing (start early)
Selling alcohol needs two licences: a premises licence for the venue and a personal licence for the named Designated Premises Supervisor. Applications take 8–12 weeks with a 28-day public notice, so start before fit-out.
Step 5 — Structure, insurance, tax
Register with HMRC and Companies House within 3 months. Public and product liability insurance (and employers' liability, legal once you hire), a commercial waste contract, pest control, music licence (PPL PRS), and VAT over £90,000 (eat-in food is standard-rated).
Restaurant requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Needed? |
|---|---|
| Food business registration | ✅ Free, 28 days before opening |
| Planning / change of use | ⚪ Check the unit's use class |
| HACCP / Level 2 hygiene / allergens | ✅ Legal requirements |
| Premises + personal licence | ✅ If selling alcohol (start early) |
| Public, product & employers' liability | ✅ / ⚠️ Essential; employers' is legal once you hire |
| Music licence | ⚪ If you play music |
| VAT registration | ✅ Once turnover > £90,000 |
Open your restaurant the easy way
Spark builds your exact restaurant checklist — food registration, the two alcohol licences (with their long lead times flagged), hygiene, insurance and VAT — in the right order. Free.
Build my free checklist →FAQ
What takes the longest? The alcohol licences — premises plus personal — at 8–12 weeks with a public notice. Start early. What's the first food step? Register your food business — free, 28 days before opening. When do I register for VAT? Once turnover passes £90,000; eat-in food is standard-rated at 20%.
Last reviewed 2026. Confirm current rules on GOV.UK and the Food Standards Agency before acting.