What Certificates Do I Need to Start a Mobile Gin Bar?

by Olwyn
(Lincolnshire)

Mobile gin bar trailer set up at a UK outdoor wedding

Mobile gin bar trailer set up at a UK outdoor wedding

It would like too know what certificates I would need too start up a mobile gin bar. I will be only attending private fairs festivals and weddings where there will be a licence for the events. I have rang my council and they said I don't need any certificates as long as I only sell at events that are already licensed. This seems too easy , does any one know if this is true.

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May 11, 2026
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by: MobCater

Olwyn, your council is half right but they have only answered half of your question, and that is what is making it sound too easy. There are two completely separate sets of rules in play here. The alcohol side and the food and trading side. The event licence only covers one of them.

On the alcohol side your council is correct. If every event you trade at already has its own Premises Licence or a Temporary Event Notice that covers alcohol sales, you can operate as a sub-trader under that licence without needing one of your own. This is how most mobile bars do it. The event organiser carries the licence, you serve drinks within their licensed footprint, and you do not have to apply for anything yourself.

The food side is where their advice falls short. The Food Standards Agency classes anything that prepares or serves food or drink for human consumption as a food business, gin and tonic included. Garnish, ice, mixers, the lot. Under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, you must register your food business with your local council at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration is free, but skipping it is illegal. Register with the council where your unit is stored overnight, not where each event is held.

Once you are registered, an Environmental Health Officer will want to see a few things. A Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering for whoever is on the bar, which costs around £20 online and takes a few hours. Public liability and product liability insurance in your own name, not the event's. Most weddings and festivals will not let you pitch without seeing your insurance certificate first. PAT testing on any plug-in kit you bring, your fridge, glass washer, till, and lights. A risk assessment and basic food safety procedures along the lines of the SFBB pack from the FSA.

The other thing worth thinking about, even though you mentioned only private events, is a Personal Licence for at least one named person in the business. You do not strictly need one to serve under someone else's TEN, but it makes you eligible to apply for your own TENs (up to 50 a year rather than 5 without one) and reassures event organisers that you know what you are doing. The course is one day and costs around £150 to £200, with the application taking about six weeks through your local council.

So in short, the council told you the truth on the alcohol part. The full answer is that you still need food business registration, a hygiene certificate, insurance, and PAT testing before you serve your first G and T. None of those rely on the event being licensed.

Best wishes

David

Disclaimer: This is general advice for UK mobile catering. Licensing rules vary between councils, so always check with your local authority before you start trading.

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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