Food, Drink & Hospitality

Food Information Regulations 2014 compliance

Comply with mandatory food labelling and information requirements under UK and assimilated EU law.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food waste management

Comply with food waste segregation and disposal duties.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Novel foods authorisation in Great Britain

How to determine whether your food product requires novel food authorisation in Great Britain, and how to apply. Covers the definition of novel food, the FSA authorisation process, safety assessment by the ACNFP, application requirements, timeline expectations, and differences for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Set up food premises that meet hygiene standards

How to set up food premises that meet the legal hygiene standards under Regulation (EC) 852/2004. Covers layout, surfaces, ventilation, handwashing, storage, pest control, and when you need approved establishment status.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Starting a food business in Wales: what you need to know

Overview of what makes starting a food business in Wales different from the rest of the UK. Covers the mandatory Food Hygiene Rating Scheme display requirement, Welsh local authority registration, food waste separation obligations, and Welsh Government support programmes available to new food businesses.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Wales food business compliance checklist

Quick verification checklist for Wales-specific food business obligations. Covers local authority registration, mandatory food hygiene rating display, food waste separation, Natural Resources Wales permits, and Welsh language best practice.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food safety compliance checklist

Quick verification checklist for food business operators. Covers registration, HACCP, temperature control, allergens, training, record keeping, and premises hygiene.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food safety training for your staff

Food hygiene certificates are not a legal requirement -- UK law requires competency, not certificates. This guide explains what training your food handlers actually need, available course levels, and how to demonstrate compliance during inspections.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Prepare for a food hygiene inspection

Use this checklist to prepare your food business for an environmental health inspection. Covers the three areas inspectors score, documentation you need ready, common failures, and what happens after the inspection.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food business support and grants in Wales

Welsh Government food business support and grants — Business Wales, Food Innovation Wales, Cywain, Farming Connect, Development Bank of Wales, and protected food names.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Manage food waste in Wales: mandatory separation rules for food businesses

How to comply with Wales mandatory food waste separation requirements under the Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2023. Covers the 5kg per week threshold, separate collection duties, approved containers, and NRW enforcement.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

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.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Brewery licensing and compliance

Complete licensing, registration, and duty requirements for operating a brewery in the UK, including APPA registration, food safety, premises licensing, and alcohol duty obligations.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Commercial kitchen safety: gas, ventilation, and legionella

Gas safety obligations, ventilation and extraction requirements, interlock systems, and legionella risk management for hospitality premises with commercial kitchens and water systems.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Data protection and CCTV for hospitality businesses

How to comply with UK GDPR and PECR in hospitality, covering CCTV use, guest booking data, wifi login data, loyalty programmes, marketing consent, and handling subject access requests.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food handler training requirements

Legal training requirements for food handlers - training is mandatory, but certificates are not. Understanding the competency-based approach and debunking the certificate myth.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food hygiene and HACCP

Implement food safety management procedures based on HACCP principles.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food labelling requirements

Label prepacked food correctly with all mandatory information.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food safety and hygiene requirements

HACCP-based food safety management systems, allergen labelling requirements including Natasha's Law, and food business registration for hospitality operators in the UK.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food safety management systems and HACCP

Implement HACCP-based food safety management procedures and comply with food hygiene regulations.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Health, safety and fire requirements for hospitality venues

Health and Safety at Work Act compliance, fire safety risk assessments, and fire and rescue authority audits for hospitality premises including hotels, restaurants, pubs and venues with sleeping accommodation.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Late Night Levy for licensed premises

Understanding the Late Night Levy for alcohol premises trading between midnight and 6am, including rates by rateable value, available reductions, and how it interacts with EMROs and Cumulative Impact Policies. England and Wales only.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Managing noise from hospitality premises

How to prevent and manage noise complaints from hospitality premises including statutory nuisance law, planning conditions, licensing conditions, soundproofing options, and the Agent of Change principle.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Music and entertainment licensing

TheMusicLicence requirements for playing background music, hosting live performances, and DJ events in hospitality venues including costs, what's covered, and how to comply with PPL PRS.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

National Minimum Wage, tips, and pay compliance in hospitality

How to ensure NMW compliance in hospitality, covering the accommodation offset, why tips cannot count towards minimum wage, unpaid trial shift rules, uniform deductions, and avoiding HMRC naming and shaming.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Right to work checks for hospitality employers

Step-by-step guide to conducting right to work checks for hospitality staff, including the three-step process, online checking service, repeat checks for time-limited permission, and avoiding civil penalties of up to 60,000 pounds per illegal worker.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

Give a Temporary Event Notice to your local authority to carry out licensable activities at a temporary event. Covers eligibility limits, the notice process, police and environmental health objections, and late TENs.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Working time and rest breaks in hospitality

Working Time Regulations explained for hospitality employers including maximum hours, rest break entitlements, split shift rules, night work limits, young worker protections, and the 48-hour opt-out.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Allergen information requirements

Provide clear allergen information for all food you sell.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Outdoor trading and pavement licensing for hospitality

Pavement licences for outdoor seating, A-board permits, and requirements for placing tables, chairs and signage on public highways for pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Apply for an alcohol premises licence in Scotland

Step-by-step guide to obtaining a premises licence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, including operating plans, Licensing Board applications, and premises managers.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Appeal your food hygiene rating or request a re-rating in Wales

If you disagree with your food hygiene rating in Wales, you can appeal within 21 days, submit a right of reply, or request a re-rating visit after making improvements. This guide explains each option, the deadlines you must meet, and what fees apply.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Comply with mandatory food hygiene rating display in Wales

Wales is one of only two UK nations where displaying your food hygiene rating is a legal requirement. This guide explains how to comply with the Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act 2013, including where to display your sticker, your duty to provide rating information on request, what happens if you do not display, and what to do if you disagree with your rating.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

FHL tax regime abolition - what's changed

Summary of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime abolition from April 2025, including the tax advantages removed, transitional arrangements, and what to do now.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Personal licence (alcohol)

Obtain a personal licence to authorise and supervise alcohol sales in England and Wales. Covers the accredited qualification, DBS checks, application process, and your ongoing responsibilities as a personal licence holder.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Apply for a club premises certificate

How qualifying clubs (social clubs, sports clubs, working men's clubs) can apply for a certificate to supply alcohol to members without needing a DPS or personal licence holder.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Wales Visitor Levy: what accommodation providers need to know

How the Wales Visitor Levy works, including who it applies to, rates, exemptions, and how to collect and remit it. Councils can choose to adopt the levy from April 2027.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Register and run a safe food and drink manufacturing business

The universal spine for food and drink manufacturers: the duties every site carries whatever it makes. It covers registering your food business, putting a HACCP-based food safety system in place, the hygiene rating inspection, allergen labelling, protecting your workers from hazards including flour and grain dust, employers' liability insurance, and your site's environmental, trade-effluent and packaging duties.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food and drink manufacturer: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your food or drink manufacturing business meets its obligations before a production run. Work through the universal items every manufacturer shares, then the product-specific sections for animal-origin products, alcohol, soft drinks, contaminant-risk food and animal feed. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Meet food composition, contaminant and labelling controls

If you make processed food — bread, biscuits, confectionery, cocoa products, edible oils, coffee, spices, prepared meals or processed fruit and vegetables — you must keep contaminants and pesticide residues within legal limits and control the contaminants that form during processing. This guide takes you through monitoring contaminants and residues, getting novel foods and additives authorised, and meeting the special rules for infant formula and food for special medical purposes.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Get your animal-origin establishment approved: meat, poultry, fish and dairy

If you make products of animal origin — meat, poultry, fish, shellfish or dairy — you need establishment approval before you trade, not just food business registration. This guide takes you through getting each establishment approved, meeting animal-welfare competence at slaughter, handling animal by-products, and embedding product-specific safety controls.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Which hospitality rules apply to your business

Hospitality is regulated by what you serve and where guests sleep. Serving food brings registration and hygiene duties. Selling alcohol needs premises and personal licences. Offering beds brings fire, gas and guest-records duties that scale from a single B&B room to a holiday park. Work out which parts of the industry you operate in below, then follow the matching guidance.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Make soft drinks and bottled water: levy, recognition and water abstraction

If you make soft drinks or bottle natural mineral water, spring water or bottled drinking water, you face three obligations on top of the universal food-safety duties: the Soft Drinks Industry Levy on added-sugar drinks, formal recognition before you can market a product as natural mineral water, and a water abstraction licence if you take water from your own source. This guide takes you through each in turn.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Comply with tipping law in hospitality

How to comply with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 as a hospitality employer. Covers fair distribution rules, written policies, tronc schemes, VAT treatment, and the upcoming October 2026 consultation requirements.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Which food and drink manufacturing regulations apply to your business

Every food and drink manufacturer starts the same way: register the food business with the local authority and prepare for a hygiene-rating inspection. After that the rules diverge sharply by what you make.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

VAT for hospitality businesses

Understanding VAT rules for restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, and other hospitality businesses. Covers food and drink VAT rates, the hot food test, premises facilities, accommodation, tips and service charges, and staff meals.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Hospitality sector market overview

Market size, growth trends, investment opportunities, and key statistics for the UK hospitality sector including employment, business counts, and economic contribution.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Running an Airbnb in Scotland legally

Plain-English guide for new short-term let hosts covering all the legal requirements for running an Airbnb or holiday let in Scotland, including the mandatory licensing scheme, safety conditions, fees, planning, and penalties.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Get a short-term lets licence in Scotland

Complete guide to Scotland's mandatory short-term lets licensing scheme including licence types, mandatory conditions, and application process.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Operating in a short-term let control area

Additional planning requirements in designated short-term let control areas in Scotland, including Edinburgh and parts of Highland.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Holiday let food hygiene, employment and insurance

Food hygiene, employment law, insurance, and environmental duties for self-catering holiday accommodation. Covers food business registration, allergens, food hygiene ratings by nation, right to work checks, tips allocation, employer liability, and guest protection obligations.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Holiday let safety requirements and compliance

Health and safety requirements for self-catering holiday accommodation. Covers fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety, legionella prevention, risk assessment, record keeping, and building a compliance pack for inspections.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Pubs Code for tied tenants

Your rights as a tied pub tenant under the Pubs Code. Covers Market Rent Only (MRO) option, rent assessment process, regulated pub companies, and how to raise disputes with the Pubs Code Adjudicator.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Holiday let tax obligations and business rates

Tax obligations and business rates for self-catering holiday accommodation from April 2025. Covers the FHL regime abolition, capital gains tax on sale, business rates eligibility in England and Wales, and VAT on holiday accommodation.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Run a campsite, caravan site or holiday park

Outdoor accommodation runs on a site licence from the local authority, then layers of safety duties that scale with what you offer — pitch electrics, private water supplies, pools and waterslides, and adventure activities for under-18s each bring their own regime. This guide covers the site itself; food, alcohol and employment route onward.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Run a hotel, B&B or guest house

Serviced accommodation carries duties most other businesses never meet — strict liability for guests' property under the Hotel Proprietors Act 1956, a legal duty to keep records of every guest aged 16 or over, and premises safety obligations that are stricter wherever people sleep. This guide covers the duties that attach to letting rooms, and routes onward for food, alcohol and employment.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Run an animal feed or pet food business: APHA registration, additives and feed controls

Making animal feed or pet food is regulated separately from human food. You register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) as a feed business operator, use only authorised feed additives at permitted levels, control the ruminant feed ban and other TSE cross-contamination risks, register your establishment for animal by-products if you use them, and label feed and pet food to its own statutory rules.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Get approved food establishment status in Wales

How to apply for approved establishment status through FSA Wales for businesses processing meat, dairy, fish, or egg products. Covers the application process, local authority and FSA Wales roles, premises requirements, conditional approval, identification marks, and ongoing compliance obligations under Regulation (EC) 853/2004.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Prepare for Scotland's visitor levy

What accommodation providers in Scotland need to know about the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, including Edinburgh's scheme starting July 2026.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Register your visitor accommodation in Wales

Step-by-step guide to registering visitor accommodation with the Welsh Revenue Authority from 1 October 2026, as required by the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Act 2025.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Holiday let licensing and registration by nation

Licensing and registration requirements for self-catering holiday accommodation across the UK. Covers Scotland's mandatory short-term let licence, Wales's registration scheme from October 2026, England's planned registration, and planning rules including the London 90-night limit.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Specialist hospitality licences and permissions

Gaming machines, civil wedding venues, tourist accommodation registration, HMO licensing and other specialist permissions for hospitality businesses with specific activities or business models.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Selling food online: labelling and safety requirements

Comply with distance selling rules when selling food online, including providing mandatory food information before purchase, allergen labelling at two points, and maintaining safe delivery temperatures.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food and drink business licensing and compliance

Navigate the complete range of licences, registrations, certifications, and consents required for food and drink businesses across production, sales, export, and environmental compliance.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food business registration

Register your food business with your local authority before starting operations.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Late night refreshment licence

Understand when you need authorisation to supply hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am. Covers what counts as late night refreshment, exemptions, local authority deregulation powers, the application process, and devolved nation differences.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Allergen control systems and Natasha's Law

Implement comprehensive allergen management systems and comply with Natasha's Law PPDS labelling requirements.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food and drink regulations and traceability

Comply with HFSS labelling, traceability requirements, alcohol duty obligations, packaging regulations, waste disposal, and animal by-products rules.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Get a personal licence to sell alcohol in Scotland

How to obtain a Scottish personal licence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, including the SCPLH qualification, Disclosure Scotland check, application process, fees, renewal, and refresher training requirements.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Alcohol licensing requirements

How to obtain a premises licence to sell alcohol in England and Wales, including application process, fees, designated premises supervisor requirements, and licensing objectives.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Register as an alcohol wholesaler (AWRS)

If you sell alcohol to other businesses, you must register under the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) with HMRC. Learn who needs to register, how to apply, and due diligence obligations.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Register and run a food business

How to register your food business with your local authority, meet food hygiene requirements, and achieve a good food hygiene rating. Essential compliance for all food businesses including home-based and mobile.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Register a food business in Wales

How to register a food business with one of the 22 Welsh local authorities. Covers the Welsh-specific registration process, bilingual forms, what happens after registration, and key differences from the England registration system.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Food traceability, withdrawal, and recall

Maintain food traceability records using the one step back, one step forward principle, and follow the correct procedures if you need to withdraw or recall unsafe food.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Minimum unit pricing compliance for alcohol retailers

How to calculate and apply minimum unit pricing for alcohol sales in Scotland, including enforcement and penalties.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Get approved and pay duty as an alcohol producer: beer, spirits, wine and cider

If you brew beer, distil spirits, make wine or cider, ferment other products or malt grain, you must hold an HMRC Alcoholic Products Producer Approval (APPA) before you start producing. This guide walks you through getting approved, submitting duty returns, registering as a wholesaler, claiming Small Producer Relief, protecting a geographical indication, licensing a taproom and controlling grain dust in malting.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Alcohol licensing in Northern Ireland

How alcohol licensing works in Northern Ireland — court-granted licences, 5-year renewal, 13 licence categories, permitted hours, and the role of PSNI.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, premises and personal licences, occasional licences, overprovision, and minimum unit pricing.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Premises licence (alcohol)

Apply for a premises licence to sell or supply alcohol from your business in England and Wales. Covers the application process, fees, the four licensing objectives, mandatory conditions, and what happens after you receive your licence.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Alcohol licensing in Northern Ireland: court-granted licences

How Northern Ireland's court-based alcohol licensing system works, including the 13 licence categories, 5-year renewal requirement, the role of the PSNI, the surrender principle, permitted hours, and how the system differs from England, Wales, and Scotland.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Host weddings and events on your farm

How to set up and run a farm wedding or event venue. Covers planning permission, licensing, fire safety, insurance, and food safety requirements for converting agricultural buildings to event spaces.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Manage access land and SSSIs on your property

Understand your obligations as a landowner of open access land or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Covers right to roam, reduced liability, temporary closures, SSSI consent requirements, and penalties for non-compliance.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Convert farm buildings to holiday accommodation

How to get planning permission, meet building regulations, and understand the post-April 2025 tax treatment when converting agricultural buildings to holiday lets. Covers Class Q permitted development, fire safety requirements, and the impact of FHL tax regime abolition on farm diversification.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Set up camping or glamping on your farm

How to comply with planning permission, licensing, and safety requirements when offering camping or glamping on agricultural land. Covers the 60-day exemption, caravan site licensing, and glamping-specific regulations.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.