Can I Open a Tea and Cake Shop on Rented Land at My Garden Centre?

by vic lewins
(derbyshire)

Tea and cake display at a garden centre cafe

Tea and cake display at a garden centre cafe

My brother and I run our own garden centre from a piece of land we rent from somebody we know. We got planning permission for it from the council six months ago.

Weve been asked by a lot of people about opening up a tea, coffee and cake shop. I have a level 2 food and hygiene certificate. The food wont be cooked on the premises.

We did think about setting it up in a caravan but we heard its difficult to do so sometimes, so we have been looking at outdoor huts and sheds instead.

Is this doable? And if so, what will I need to take this idea further?

Thankyou!

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Mar 28, 2026
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tea Shop on Rented Land — What You Need
by: MobCater

Hiya Vic,

This is a brilliant idea and garden centre tea rooms do really well — people love a cuppa and a slice of cake after browsing the plants. You're already in a strong position because you've got the planning permission and your Level 2 Food Hygiene sorted.

The first thing to check is whether your existing planning permission covers serving food and drink. You got permission for a garden centre, but adding a tea room might count as a change of use or need an amendment. It's worth a quick call to your local planning department at the council to check. Since you've already been through the planning process once, they'll know your site and it shouldn't be a big deal.

You'll need to register as a food business with your local council at least 28 days before you start serving. It's free and you can do it online. Even though you're not cooking on site, you're still handling and serving food so it counts.

A shed or outdoor hut works really well for this — plenty of garden centres use them. The main thing is it needs to meet basic hygiene standards. You'll need surfaces that are easy to clean and disinfect (no bare wood), a dedicated hand wash sink with hot and cold running water, antibacterial soap and paper towels. You'll also need a separate area for washing up equipment. Keep all your surfaces in good condition and visibly clean.

Since you're serving cakes, you'll need to think about temperature control. Anything with cream or dairy needs to be kept below 8 degrees — a display fridge is your best bet. Get yourself a probe thermometer to check temperatures and keep a daily record. If someone asks about allergens, you need to know exactly what's in everything you're selling — there are 14 allergens you must be able to declare.

Get a Safer Food Better Business pack from the Food Standards Agency website. It's free and you'll need to fill it in and keep a daily diary. The EHO will want to see this when they visit.

Public liability insurance is a must — most people go for £5 million cover and it costs around £150-£300 a year. Check with your landlord too, as they might have requirements about what you can do on the rented land.

Don't let the caravan thing put you off — a hut or shed is actually easier in many ways. Less hassle with gas and vehicle regulations, and it fits the garden centre feel perfectly.

This is general guidance for UK mobile catering. Rules can vary between councils, so always check with your local authority.

Disclaimer: This is general advice for UK mobile catering. Always register with your local council and speak to your Environmental Health team if you're unsure about food safety requirements.

Best of luck
David

Try the free MobCater App — our startup checklist and guide walks you through every step: https://www.mobcater.co.uk/mobile-catering.html

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