Additional help and support

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Your business can get advice on:

• tax
• writing a business plan
• finance
• business premises and business rates

You may have other responsibilities depending on what your food business does.

Make sure you check:

• licences or permits for example to sell food or to trade in the street
• insurance
• your employees have the right to work in the UK. All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. You do this by conducting simple right to work checks before you employ someone.

There are also rules you must follow if you’re:

• selling food online
• importing and exporting food
• storing or using personal information - this applies to information kept on staff, customers and account holders 

England

GOV.UK provides useful information and resources for starting a business.

For general business guidance you can also contact the national Business Support Helpline service. Additionally, you can find free support, advice and sources of finance through your local ‘growth hub’. 

Wales

Business Wales is a free service that provides impartial, independent support and advice to people starting, running and growing a business in Wales. 

Northern Ireland

nibusinessinfo.co.uk is a free service offered by Invest Northern Ireland, is the official online channel for business advice and support for starting a business.