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All food businesses must register with Bristol City Council - it's free. Register at least 28 days before you start. Bristol uses the FSA system with FHRS 0-5 star ratings. Dark kitchens face extra hurdles: Sui Generis planning classification, 400m school exclusion zones, and Clean Air Zone vehicle restrictions.
How to Register Your Food Business
Register as a Food Business
Free registration with Bristol City Council via the FSA portal
Complete the online form on bristol.gov.uk or register directly through the Food Standards Agency
More infoFood Hygiene Training
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate minimum for all food handlers
Online courses available (£15-25) or in-person training providers across Bristol
Premises Inspection
Environmental Health Officer visits to assess your premises against FHRS standards
Be prepared for unannounced visit - maintain standards consistently from day one
Receive Food Hygiene Rating
FHRS rating from 0-5 stars displayed publicly on ratings.food.gov.uk
Aim for 5 stars - you can request a paid re-inspection if you improve
More infoLicences You May Need
| Licence Type | Cost | Who Needs It | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Business Registration | Free | All food businesses | Ongoing (update if changes) |
| Street Trading Consent | £150-500/year (varies by pitch) | Food trucks, mobile vendors on public streets | Annual renewal |
| Late Night Refreshment Licence | £100-1905 (based on rateable value) | Selling hot food/drinks between 11pm-5am | Ongoing with annual fee |
| Planning Permission (Dark Kitchens) | £462+ application fee | Dark/ghost kitchens classified as Sui Generis | Permanent if granted |
Policy HW3: 400-Metre School Exclusion Zone
Critical Planning Restriction
Dark kitchens classified as Sui Generis (Hot Food Takeaway) cannot open within 400 metres of secondary schools, youth facilities, or playing fields. This policy creates significant exclusion zones across Bristol's residential areas.
What This Means for You
Sui Generis Planning for Dark Kitchens
Bristol classifies dark kitchens as Sui Generis (a use class of its own), not Class E. This means you cannot simply move into a commercial unit and start operating. A full planning application is required.
Application Requirements
- Full planning application (not permitted development)
- Odour impact assessment (DEFRA compliant)
- Noise impact assessment
- Extraction system design specifications
Extraction Flue Rules
- Flues must terminate 1m above ridge height of nearest building
- Carbon and grease filtration systems required
- Noise from extraction must meet background +5dB limit
- Regular maintenance schedule must be documented
Budget for Planning
Planning application fee starts at £462. Add £2,000-5,000 for professional odour/noise assessments. Extraction system design consultancy adds £1,000-3,000. Total planning costs typically £4,000-10,000 before you start fitting out the kitchen. Allow 8-13 weeks for the application to be determined.
Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ)
Bristol has an active Clean Air Zone covering the city centre. Non-compliant vehicles face daily charges, which directly impacts delivery fleet costs for food businesses.
| Vehicle Type | Daily Charge | Compliant Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cars & Light Vehicles | £9/day | Euro 6 diesel / Euro 4 petrol |
| Vans & LGVs | £9/day | Euro 6 diesel / Euro 4 petrol |
| HGVs, Buses & Coaches | £100/day | Euro VI diesel |
| Electric Vehicles | Exempt | No charge |
Delivery fleet impact: If you operate a dark kitchen in central Bristol or use delivery drivers with older vehicles, CAZ charges add up quickly. A non-compliant van making 5 trips into the zone per week costs £2,340/year in charges alone. Check vehicle compliance at bristol.gov.uk/caz.
Liveable Neighbourhood Schemes (LTNs)
Bristol is rolling out Liveable Neighbourhood schemes (low traffic neighbourhoods) across several areas. These introduce road closures, one-way systems, and modal filters that can complicate delivery logistics.
Affected Areas
- Southville - active restrictions on through-traffic
- East Bristol - planned liveable neighbourhood scheme
- Redcliffe/Temple - evolving traffic management
Impact on Food Businesses
- Delivery routes may be longer and less direct
- Some streets closed to motor vehicles
- Cargo bikes unaffected - growing delivery option
Preparing for Your Inspection
Inspections can be unannounced. Maintain standards consistently, not just before expected visits. Bristol's Environmental Health Officers can visit any time during your operating hours.
Key Bristol Contacts
Environmental Health (Food Safety)
Website: bristol.gov.uk
For: Food business registration, hygiene ratings, inspections
Licensing Team
Website: bristol.gov.uk
For: Street trading, late night refreshment, premises licences
Planning (Development Management)
Website: bristol.gov.uk
For: Sui Generis applications, change of use, dark kitchen planning
Clean Air Zone
Website: bristol.gov.uk
For: Vehicle compliance checks, exemptions, fleet planning
Written by
James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register a food business in Bristol?
Register online at bristol.gov.uk at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration is free. You'll need: business details, premises address, description of food activities, and food safety contact person. After registration, expect an inspection visit from Bristol's Environmental Health team. You can legally start trading after 28 days even if the inspection hasn't happened yet.
Do dark kitchens need planning permission in Bristol?
Yes. Bristol City Council classifies dark kitchens (ghost kitchens) as Sui Generis use, NOT Class E. This means a full planning application is required. You'll need odour and noise impact assessments (DEFRA compliant), and extraction flues must terminate at least 1 metre above the ridge height of the nearest building. Budget £462+ for the application fee plus consultant costs for the required assessments.
What is the 400-metre school exclusion zone in Bristol?
Bristol's Policy HW3 prohibits new hot food takeaways (including dark kitchens classified as Sui Generis) from opening within 400 metres of secondary schools, youth facilities, or playing fields. This creates significant exclusion zones across residential areas. Check the council's interactive planning map before signing a lease to ensure your proposed site isn't within a restricted zone.
How does Bristol's Clean Air Zone affect food businesses?
Bristol's city centre Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges non-compliant vehicles daily. Non-compliant cars pay £9/day, LGVs/vans £9/day, and HGVs/buses £100/day. This directly affects delivery fleet costs. Ensure your delivery vehicles meet emission standards (Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol minimum) or factor in daily charges. Electric vehicles are exempt. Check compliance at bristol.gov.uk/caz.
How much does it cost to start a food business in Bristol?
Food business registration is free. Additional costs: Level 2 Food Hygiene training (£15-25 per person), street trading consent (£150-500/year if applicable), late night refreshment licence (£100-1905 if trading 11pm-5am), planning permission for dark kitchens (£462+ application fee plus assessment costs). Budget for food safety management system setup, equipment, and public liability insurance (typically £5M minimum).
How do I get a 5-star food hygiene rating in Bristol?
For 5 stars under the FHRS in Bristol: demonstrate excellent compliance with food hygiene law, maintain a robust documented food safety management system, keep premises in good structural condition with adequate facilities, and show confident management procedures. Bristol uses the standard FSA scoring system. If you score less than 5, you can request a paid re-rating visit after making improvements.
Can I run a dark kitchen in any Bristol location?
No. Three major restrictions limit dark kitchen locations in Bristol: (1) the 400-metre school exclusion zone under Policy HW3 rules out large areas near secondary schools; (2) Sui Generis planning classification means full planning permission is needed with odour/noise assessments; (3) Liveable Neighbourhood Schemes (LTNs) in areas like Southville create delivery route restrictions. Research thoroughly before committing to a site.
What are the best areas for a commercial kitchen in Bristol?
Industrial estates like St Philip's Marsh and Avonmouth offer fewer planning conflicts and are outside the school exclusion zones. Temple Quarter is regenerating with commercial food space potential. Bedminster and Easton have growing food scenes but check LTN restrictions. Avoid city centre if your fleet isn't CAZ-compliant. Always verify the 400m school zone and check planning history of the specific unit.