Guide
Hospitality annual compliance checklist
Annual compliance checklist for hospitality businesses covering all key regulatory obligations: licence renewals, fire safety reviews, food safety system updates, gas safety checks, insurance renewals, tipping policy reviews, waste management, and music licensing.
Use this checklist each year to confirm your hospitality business meets its key regulatory obligations. It covers pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and other premises serving food or alcohol.
Work through each section and resolve any gaps before moving on. Many of these items have fixed renewal dates; missing them can result in fines, prosecution, or forced closure.
Licensing and permissions
- Premises licence annual fee paid to the local authority by the due date
- Personal licence valid and not due for renewal
- Designated premises supervisor (DPS) details current and notified to the licensing authority
- TheMusicLicence (PPL PRS) renewed for the current year
- Pavement licence renewed (if using outdoor seating on the public highway)
- Gaming machine permit current (if applicable)
Food safety
- HACCP or Safer Food, Better Business (SFBB) system reviewed and updated for any menu or process changes
- Allergen information updated for all current menu items, including specials
- Food hygiene training current for all food handlers
- Temperature monitoring records up to date (fridges, freezers, hot holding, cooking)
- Food business registration current with the local authority (re-register if you change premises or the nature of the business)
Health, safety and fire
- Fire risk assessment reviewed (annually or after any significant premises change)
- Fire extinguishers, alarms, and emergency lighting serviced (annual service required)
- Gas safety check completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer (annual)
- Portable appliance testing (PAT) completed for electrical equipment
- First aid kit restocked and first aiders identified
- Accident book reviewed for trends and follow-up actions
- Employers' liability insurance renewed (annual, minimum cover £5 million)
- Public liability insurance renewed
Employment
- Right to work checks completed for all new starters before their first day
- National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates updated (new rates apply each April)
- Tipping policy reviewed and compliant with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023
- Pension auto-enrolment re-declaration submitted to The Pensions Regulator (every 3 years)
- DBS checks current for any roles involving unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults
- Working time records maintained for all staff, including opt-out agreements where applicable
Operations
- Waste carrier registration valid (check on the Environment Agency public register)
- Trade effluent consent current (if discharging trade waste to the public sewer)
- CCTV signage displayed and data protection impact assessment reviewed
- Privacy notice up to date and accessible to customers and staff
- TV licence for business premises renewed (if showing live broadcasts or BBC iPlayer)
- Business rates paid or small business rate relief confirmed
Set calendar reminders for each item. Many hospitality compliance failures happen because renewal dates are missed, not because operators are unaware of the requirement.
Related guidance
- Alcohol licensing requirements for full premises licence and personal licence details
- Food safety and hygiene requirements for HACCP, allergens, and hygiene ratings
- Health, safety and fire requirements for hospitality venues for risk assessments and fire safety duties
- Comply with tipping law in hospitality for the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023
- Music and entertainment licensing for TheMusicLicence and entertainment deregulation