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Many Hurdles to Jump - Food Trailer


Dear All

Firstly I would like to thank David and everyone who is contributing to this invaluable website.

I am finding setting up a food trailer has a lot of red tape.

My situation is that i have permission from the land owner to operate a catering trailer on a retail park.
In addition to this i have my food hygiene certificate, public liability insurance, my equipment is PAT tested, and i have gas and electric certificates.

I realise i have to register my business with the council.
The trailer will be moved everyday.

Shall i contact the council to see if planning permission is needed?

Can you think of anything else I would need to do?

Also how do i get a food hygiene rating?

I appreciate any information and advice.

Thank you
Jordan

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Jan 16, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mobile Catering Pitches and Permissions
by: David-

Hi Jordan,

It’s fantastic that you’re taking steps to set up your food trailer—well done for getting so much sorted already! Here's some clear and helpful advice to guide you further:

1. Contact the Council About Planning Permission

Since your trailer will be moved daily, you might not need full planning permission. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check with your local council. They can confirm if there are specific local requirements, like temporary use permissions or restrictions on operating hours.

2. Register Your Business with the Council

You’re absolutely right about registering your food business. By law, you need to register with your local environmental health department at least 28 days before starting. This is free, and it’s an essential step to show you’re running a safe and compliant operation.

3. Get a Food Hygiene Rating

To receive a food hygiene rating:

Once you register with the council, they will arrange a visit from an Environmental Health Officer (EHO).

During the visit, the EHO will inspect:

Cleanliness of your trailer.
How food is stored, prepared, and handled.
Your documentation, including any food safety procedures (like your HACCP plan).
The condition of your equipment.
After the inspection, you’ll be given a rating from 0 (urgent improvement needed) to 5 (very good). Aim for a 5 by keeping everything spotless and well-organized.

4. Check for Street Trading Consent

Even with landowner permission, many councils require a separate street trading consent or licence to trade on public or private land. Contact your local council to confirm if this applies to your retail park location.
5. Waste Management

You’ll need a plan for managing waste from your trailer:

Arrange for a commercial waste disposal contract (your council or private companies can help).
Have bins for customers if they’ll be eating near your trailer.

6. Health and Safety

You already have:

Food hygiene certificate ✅
Public liability insurance ✅
PAT testing ✅
Gas and electric certificates ✅ This is excellent! Ensure you keep these documents readily available for inspections.

7. Additional Tips

Signage and Branding: Make sure your trailer is clearly branded with a menu and price list to attract customers.

Water Supply: Have a clean, safe water source (many use refillable food-grade containers if there’s no mains connection).
Record-Keeping: Keep records of food deliveries, cleaning schedules, and equipment maintenance.

You’re off to a great start! Just make those final checks with your council, and you’ll be ready to go. Best of luck with your new food trailer business—excited customers will be lining up soon. 😊

Jordan, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

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