In certain cases, you need a licence to operate a catering business.
A catering business is operated by anyone who
- Serves drinks for consumption on the premises (pub business) or
- serves prepared food for consumption on the premises (catering),
if the business is open to the general public or certain groups of people.
A catering business is also operated by anyone who, as an independent trader in the travelling trade, serves drinks or prepared food for consumption on the premises from a fixed business premises for the duration of the event if the business is accessible to everyone or certain groups of people.
If these conditions are met, you must always apply for a licence.
However, you do not need a licence if you only serve
- non-alcoholic drinks,
- free samples,
- prepared food or
- serve drinks and prepared food to house guests in connection with an accommodation establishment.
However, if you operate a restaurant as a travelling trade in these cases, you will need a travelling trade licence.
You only need a licence for a pub or restaurant where drinks are usually served if alcoholic beverages are involved.
You can obtain a catering licence as a
- A new licence,
- A licence after conversion work or
- A licence for the management of a restaurant by a deputy.