Everything you need to help start your own mobile event catering business for free.
Useful business advice, help, ideas and tips
to get your new mobile outdoor event catering business started.
START UP A MOBILE CATERING BUSINESS
STEP2. REGULATIONS - FOOD SAFETY LAWS
Licensing laws
The Licensing Act 2003 transfers responsibility for the licensing of premises
such as pubs, nightclubs, off licences and restaurants to sell and supply
alcohol away from the magistrates court to the council. Existing legislation
concerning public entertainment, theatres, cinemas and
late night refreshment licensing has also been replaced under the Act -
all these activities are now covered by the law.
Late night supply of hot food refreshments This part of the licensing law will affect mobile catering businesses and
means the supply of hot food or hot drink to the public, for consumption on or
off the premises, between 11.00pm and 5.00am. It includes
takeaways, cafes, fast food outlets and mobile catering vehicles.
Premises or mobile caterers that provide late night refreshment will need to
hold a Premises Licence.
So if you provide hot food refreshments
between the hours stated above you will need to apply for a license from your
local council, if you're not sure whether you fall into this category or
not, check with them first. A license will cost you money and you will need to
weigh up whether opening during those hours is financially viable and worth the
additional expense.
However there are a few exceptions within the licensing law for "late night
refreshments" which we have included on the next page for your general guidance.
The information provided here regarding the licensing laws has
been simplified and made relevant to mobile catering businesses only. Laws and
regulations change often and we strongly advise that you contact your
local council if you anticipate that any of your
business activities will fall within the above mentioned criteria or you are in
any way uncertain.
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