Café compliance checklist (UK, 2026)

Registration is free and can't be refused, but trading unregistered is an offence. If you've moved premises or changed owner, you must register again.

Most small businesses use the FSA's free Safer Food, Better Business pack. Inspectors ask for it — keeping it current is one of the biggest factors in your hygiene rating.

Your council's environmental health officers can inspect without warning. Serious breaches of the Food Safety Act 1990 carry unlimited fines and possible prosecution.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (0–5); Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme. Ratings are published at ratings.food.gov.uk for anyone to see.

Display is compulsory in Wales and Northern Ireland. In England it's voluntary — but a missing sticker makes customers assume the worst.

If you disagree with a rating you have 21 days to appeal, and after fixing issues you can request a paid re-visit. Don't wait for a bad rating to learn the process.

For food sold loose (made to order), allergen information must be available in writing or clearly signposted. Staff answers of 'probably fine' are how prosecutions start.

Since 1 October 2021 (Natasha's Law), anything packed on site before order — sandwiches, salads, cakes in wrap — needs a full ingredient list with the 14 allergens emphasised.

One untrained weekend hire can undo everything. Keep a training record — inspectors ask, and it's your evidence of due diligence.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England & Wales; equivalent rules apply in Scotland and NI), the 'responsible person' must assess fire risk and record the findings.

Blocked fire exits are among the most common — and most cheaply avoidable — enforcement findings in small premises.

New equipment, new seating layout, new storage — each can invalidate your existing assessment.

Required from the first employee, with significant daily fines possible for going without cover.

Under 5 employees you still need a policy — it just doesn't have to be written down. Risk assessments are required either way.

Certain workplace injuries, illnesses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the HSE. Have the reporting route written down before you need it.

Business waste can't go in household bins. Duty-of-care paperwork (transfer notes) must be kept and produced on request.

Since 31 March 2025, English workplaces with 10 or more full-time-equivalent staff must separate dry recycling and food waste. Micro firms (under 10) are scheduled to follow from 31 March 2027 — start early.

Wales and Scotland run their own (in places stricter) business recycling regimes — check your council's business waste pages.

Rates change every April. Underpayment risks arrears, penalties and public naming by HMRC — set a calendar reminder for the annual change.

Civil penalties for employing someone without the right to work are severe. Keep copies of the check evidence.

Every employee and worker is entitled to the written statement on or before their first day. Auto-enrolment pension duties also apply from the first staff member.

Cafés are the classic PPDS business — anything you pack before the customer orders needs a full ingredient label with allergens emphasised.

Most councils require a pavement or street furniture licence for outside seating.

Yes — food registration, allergen rules, fire risk assessment and waste duty-of-care apply regardless of size. What scales with size is paperwork volume, not whether the rules apply.

Typically your food safety management records, temperature logs, allergen information and general hygiene. A current, honestly-completed Safer Food Better Business pack goes a long way.