Licences and permits
The permissions a business needs before it can trade — each one tied to the law that creates it, or to a plain statement that no national statute does, and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms; we never copy them.
7 of 41 licences · 7 with a named enabling instrument · 7 issued by a council
Narrow it down
Pick the activity you are asking about, and the nation you trade in. A licence can exist in one nation and not the next, so both matter.
What you do
Where you trade
Who issues it
Most business licences are issued by the council for the area you trade in — the licensing authority — under powers Parliament gave it. A small number are issued by a national regulator instead, and go to that body wherever you are.
Advertising and marketing
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Animal products: manufacturing and wholesale
1
Local authority food establishment approval (England)
Approval is required for certain food establishments that handle products of animal origin, such as meat, fish, egg, dairy products, and processed products of …
Arts and recreation
4
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Beauty, hairdressing, nails and spa treatments
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Building and construction
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Charity and community
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Cleaning
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Driving and motor vehicles
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Education, including tutoring and training
2
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Events
6
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties
Personal licence to sell alcohol (England and Wales)
You need a licence to sell alcohol from a licensed premises
Premises licence (England and Wales)
You'll need a premises licence if you want to sell alcohol or offer entertainment from a particular venue
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Finance, insurance and insolvency
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Food and drink: wholesale, manufacturing and production
1
Local authority food establishment approval (England)
Approval is required for certain food establishments that handle products of animal origin, such as meat, fish, egg, dairy products, and processed products of …
Gambling and betting, including arcades, bingo and racing
2
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Hospitality, restaurants, bars and catering
7
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Local authority food establishment approval (England)
Approval is required for certain food establishments that handle products of animal origin, such as meat, fish, egg, dairy products, and processed products of …
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties
Personal licence to sell alcohol (England and Wales)
You need a licence to sell alcohol from a licensed premises
Premises licence (England and Wales)
You'll need a premises licence if you want to sell alcohol or offer entertainment from a particular venue
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Legal services
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Media and broadcasting
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Retail: manufacturing and wholesale
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Sports
1
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Street trading and markets
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Tattooing, piercing and electrolysis
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Telecommunications, technology and information services
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Tourist accommodation, including hotels and campsites
4
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Premises licence (England and Wales)
You'll need a premises licence if you want to sell alcohol or offer entertainment from a particular venue
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Veterinary
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Checking approvals more broadly?
A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.