Written by
James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert
Per hour typical
To get started
Before you can trade
Food safety course
Quick Summary
Timeline: 28 days from registration to first use. Cost: £15-80/hour for hourly rentals, £1,500-4,500/month for recurring use. Requirements: Food business registration (free), food hygiene cert (£10-30), public liability insurance (£67-500/year). Best for: Testing ideas, baking, catering, or ghost kitchens without long-term commitment.
We've helped 100+ food entrepreneurs find kitchen space. This guide covers everything you need to know before your first booking.
You've got the recipe perfected. You've got customers ready to order. But you don't have a commercial kitchen.
Renting a kitchen is the smart move. It lets you start without £50K+ in equipment costs, long-term leases, or the headache of setting up a full facility. Whether you're testing a ghost kitchen concept, baking from home, or fulfilling catering orders, rental kitchens are the fastest route to commercial food production.
But there's a process. You need food safety certification, business registration, insurance, and you need to understand the real costs (hint: it's more than just the hourly rate). This guide walks you through every step, from paperwork to your first cooking session.
The 6-Step Process to Rent a Kitchen
Assess Your Needs
Define what you actually need
- Usage type: delivery-only, baking, catering, or testing
- Hours needed: hourly, daily, or monthly
- Equipment requirements: ovens, fryers, mixers, etc.
- Storage and access needs
- Duration: one-off or recurring
Register Your Food Business
Legal requirement before you can operate
- Register with your local environmental health department
- Must do this at least 28 days before trading
- Free to register, takes 10 minutes online
- Get your food business registration certificate
- Some kitchens require this before booking
Get Food Hygiene Certification
Required by law and by most kitchens
- Take Level 2 Food Hygiene course (online, 2-3 hours)
- Cost: £10-30
- Digital certificate issued immediately
- Valid for 3 years
- Many kitchen providers require proof before renting
Get Insurance
Legal requirement if you have employees
- Public liability insurance: £67-500/year
- Product liability: often bundled with public
- Employers' liability: mandatory if you have staff
- Get quotes before searching for kitchens
- Some kitchens require proof of insurance
Search and Compare Kitchens
Find spaces that match your needs
- Use platforms: Oya Kitchens, Dephna, ShareThere, Peerspace
- Check location (delivery zones, transport links)
- Filter by equipment needed
- Compare hourly/daily/monthly rates
- Read reviews from other food businesses
Book and Start Cooking
Finalize details and sign agreement
- Review kitchen agreement and terms
- Confirm all equipment is working
- Understand cleaning expectations
- Ask about cancellation policy
- Book your first slot
Real Kitchen Rental Costs
Typical UK Pricing (2025)
Hourly (one-off event)
4-hour baking session in London = £60-320
Daily rental
Full day catering job = £200-600
Weekly rental
Seasonal catering business = £750-1,000
Monthly rental
Ghost kitchen startup = £2,000-3,500
Don't forget hidden costs
Insurance, utilities, cleaning, and courses can add £200-500/month to your actual spend. Always budget for these.
Types of Kitchens Available
Dark Kitchens
Ghost kitchen, delivery-only businesses
✓ Pros: Fully equipped, low commitment, delivery-ready
✗ Cons: Often require 3-month minimums
Hourly Rental Spaces
Bakers, caterers, testing concepts
✓ Pros: Pay-as-you-go, no long-term lock-in
✗ Cons: Can add up if you need many hours
Shared Community Kitchens
Startups, side hustles, hobby sellers
✓ Pros: Cheapest option, community feel
✗ Cons: May have limited equipment, shared schedules
Commercial Catering Kitchens
Established caterers, restaurants
✓ Pros: Premium equipment, dedicated space
✗ Cons: Most expensive, often minimum 12-month lease
Hidden Costs (Don't Get Surprised)
Insurance
Public + product liability mandatory
Utilities (if not included)
Gas, electric, water usage
Cleaning
Professional deep clean if required
Food Hygiene Course
Valid 3 years
Business Registration
Online form, no fee
Where to Find Kitchen Space to Rent
Dedicated Platforms
Oya Kitchens - UK's largest marketplace, 500+ listings
Dephna - London-focused, great filter options
ShareThere - Community-driven rentals
Peerspace - Peer-to-peer kitchen rentals
Direct from Operators
Local catering equipment hire - Search "kitchen hire near me"
Community kitchens - Check your local council
Church/community centers - Often rent kitchens
Commercial landlords - Direct rental arrangements
Green Flags vs Red Flags
Green Flags (Good Signs)
- Supportive management (answers questions quickly)
- Equipment regularly maintained and updated
- Insurance included or clearly stated
- Flexible booking (not locked into long terms)
- Good reviews from food businesses
- Clear cleaning expectations
- Easy online booking system
- Active community (other users, networking)
Red Flags (Avoid These)
- No insurance requirements mentioned
- Hidden costs not disclosed upfront
- Vague about equipment condition
- Poor/no reviews or reviews seem fake
- Pushy about long-term contracts
- Unclear cancellation policy
- Food hygiene certificate not required
- Unresponsive to initial inquiries
Pre-Booking Checklist
Common Questions
Do I need food business insurance to rent a kitchen?
Not all kitchens require it, but 90% do. Get public liability insurance (£67-500/year) before searching. It's cheaper and easier to add protection than chase it later.
How soon can I start using a kitchen after registration?
You must wait 28 days after registering your food business before you can legally trade. Plan ahead - register early if you have a specific start date.
What if the kitchen equipment breaks?
That's the landlord's responsibility. Most commercial kitchen rentals include maintenance. If something breaks during your session, notify management immediately - you shouldn't be charged.
Can I bring my own equipment?
Depends on the kitchen. Some allow it, others don't (space constraints, insurance). Always ask before booking. Equipment you bring is your responsibility if it breaks.
What happens if I cancel my booking?
Cancellation policies vary widely. Some kitchens allow free cancellation up to 24 hours, others require 7 days notice. Read the terms carefully before booking - this is where surprises happen.
Related Reading
What is a Ghost Kitchen?
Understand the delivery-only kitchen model, how it works, types of spaces, and whether it's right for your food business.
Read Guide →Start a Ghost Kitchen Business
Complete steps to launch a profitable ghost kitchen in 6-8 weeks, from setup to first orders.
Read Guide →Ready to Start?
You've got the checklist. You know the costs. Now find your perfect kitchen space and start cooking.
Key Takeaways
- Plan 4-6 weeks ahead: Registration takes time. Don't rush the legal requirements.
- Budget for hidden costs: Rental price + insurance + utilities + cleaning can double your actual spend.
- Get certified before searching: Most kitchens require proof of food hygiene training.
- Read the fine print: Cancellation policies, cleaning requirements, and equipment guarantees vary massively between kitchens.
- Start with hourly rentals: Test your concept before committing to monthly rates.