How to Start a Takeaway Business in the UK (2026)
A takeaway has the same food-safety basics as any food business — plus one big extra most people miss: a hot food takeaway is a "sui generis" planning use, so converting a shop or café into one usually needs planning permission. Get that and the food registration sorted first, and the rest follows. This guide covers every step in order.
Step 1 — Check planning permission for the premises
Since September 2020, hot food takeaways are "sui generis" in England — they don't sit in the general Class E that covers shops and cafés. So changing a unit into a hot food takeaway normally needs a planning application to your council, and your extraction/flue often needs approval too (with possible noise and odour assessments). Confirm this before you sign a lease.
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 you a Food Hygiene Rating (0–5). Provide allergen information across your menu; Natasha's Law applies to anything prepacked for direct sale.
Step 4 — Add late-night licensing if you open late
Serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am is "late night refreshment" and needs a premises licence — even with no alcohol. Selling alcohol needs a premises licence plus a personal licence holder.
Step 5 — Structure, tax and the rest
Register with HMRC (and Companies House for a company) within 3 months. Public and product liability insurance, a commercial waste contract, pest control, and VAT over £90,000 — hot takeaway food is usually standard-rated (20%), so set this up correctly.
Takeaway requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Needed? |
|---|---|
| Planning permission (sui generis) | ✅ Usually, to convert a unit to hot food takeaway |
| Extraction/flue approval | ⚪ Often needed |
| Food business registration | ✅ Free, 28 days before opening |
| HACCP / Level 2 hygiene / allergens | ✅ Legal requirements |
| Late-night refreshment licence | ⚪ If serving hot food/drink 11pm–5am |
| Alcohol premises + personal licence | ⚪ If selling alcohol |
| Public & product liability insurance | ⚠️ Effectively essential |
| VAT registration | ✅ Once turnover > £90,000 |
Start your takeaway the easy way
Spark builds your exact takeaway checklist — the planning question first, then food registration, hygiene, allergens, late-night licensing and VAT, in the right order. Free.
Build my free checklist →FAQ
Do I need planning permission for a takeaway? Usually yes — hot food takeaways are sui generis, so converting a shop or café normally needs a planning application. What's the first food step? Register your food business — free, 28 days before opening. Is takeaway food VAT-able? Hot takeaway food is usually standard-rated at 20%; some cold food is zero-rated.
Last reviewed 2026. Confirm current rules on GOV.UK, the Planning Portal and the Food Standards Agency before acting.