Food Premises Registration

Almost all food businesses/activities have to be registered with North Dorset District Council if the premises or home address (in the case of mobiles) is in the north Dorset district.

Food Premises Registration forms can be printed and completed and sent to the Environmental Health and Licensing Department, North Dorset District Council, Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7LL.

If you are unsure if you need to register please contact a member of the team who will be able to provide further advice.

Registration is a legal requirement and allows us to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises which we need to visit as necessary.

New Businesses

If you are starting a new food business you should register with us at least 28 days before you start operating.

Food businesses includes:

Restaurants, public houses (even if no food served), cafes, butchers, shops selling food (even if pre-wrapped), supermarkets, Staff canteens, warehouses, guest houses, b & b’s, hotels, delivery vehicles, market and other stalls, burger vans, ice cream vans etc.

Use of Vehicle for Food Businesses

If you use vehicles for food businesses in connection with permanent premises such as a shop, or warehouse, you only need to tell us on the registration form how many vehicles you have.  If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell us where they are normally kept.

If you have a mobile food premises, ie burger van, you will need to register the premises at your home address.

How to Register

You can register by completing a registration form.  Registration cannot be refused and there is no charge.  The registration form must be sent to us at Environmental Health and Licensing Department, North Dorset District Council, Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7LL.

You must tick all the boxes which apply to your business, answer all the questions and give all the information requested.

Seasonal businesses should give the period during which you intend to be open.

If you have any questions, please contact us and we will help you.  It is an offence to give information which you know is false.

Access to the Food Business Register

Food business details are entered onto the register.  A register of addresses and the type of business in operation is available for inspection by the general public.

Changes to your Business

Once you have registered, you need to notify us if:

• There is a change of proprietor, (the new proprietor will have to complete a registration form)
• The nature of the business changes
• Or if there is a change of the address at which moveable premises are kept.

Top of page