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All food businesses must register with Leeds City Council — it's free. Register at least 28 days before you start. Dark kitchens are classified as Sui Generis and require full planning permission. Check the 400m school exclusion zone before signing any lease. Leeds uses the standard English FHRS (0-5 stars).
How to Register Your Food Business
Register as a Food Business
Free registration with Leeds City Council
Complete online form on leeds.gov.uk or email food.safety@leeds.gov.uk
More infoFood Hygiene Training
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate minimum
Online courses available (£15-25) or in-person training in Leeds
Planning Permission (If Required)
Dark kitchens classified as Sui Generis — full Change of Use application needed
Submit "Change of Use to Commercial Kitchen and Delivery Centre (Sui Generis)" to Leeds Planning
Premises Inspection
Environmental Health Officer visits to assess your premises
Be prepared for unannounced visit — keep standards consistent from day one
More infoReceive Food Hygiene Rating
Rating from 0-5 displayed publicly on ratings.food.gov.uk
Aim for 5 stars — need 3+ for delivery platforms, premium brands require 4-5
More infoLicences You May Need
| Licence Type | Cost | Who Needs It | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Business Registration | Free | All food businesses | Ongoing (update if changes) |
| FSA Approval (EC 853/2004) | Free (but rigorous process) | CPUs selling animal-origin products B2B | Ongoing with compliance |
| Street Trading Licence | Varies by location | Food trucks, mobile vendors on public streets | Annual renewal |
| Late Night Refreshment Licence | Based on rateable value | Selling hot food/drinks between 11pm-5am | Ongoing with annual fee |
| Market Trader Licence | Varies | Trading at council-run markets | Per market/event |
Planning Permission for Dark Kitchens
Dark kitchens in Leeds are classified as Sui Generis. You cannot simply rent a warehouse and start cooking. A full planning application for Change of Use is required, and Environmental Health is a statutory consultee on every application.
Use Class
Sui Generis — dark kitchens do not fall under standard use classes
Application Type
Full planning application: "Change of Use to Commercial Kitchen and Delivery Centre (Sui Generis)"
Timeline
8-12 weeks from submission to decision
Noise Standard
BS4142 — extraction fan noise must be 10dB below background level at night (19:00-07:00)
Odour Control
High-level discharge stack 1m above eaves required (Defra guidance)
School Exclusion Zone
Policy HFT 1: no new hot food takeaways within 400m of secondary schools (unless in designated town centre)
Statutory Consultee
Environmental Health consulted on all kitchen planning applications
Hot Food Takeaway SPD
Leeds has a specific Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document that restricts new hot food businesses near schools. Read the full policy before choosing a location.
Download HFT SPD (PDF)Best Areas for a Dark Kitchen in Leeds
| Area | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Holbeck (LS11) | Main dark kitchen zone | Low rent, good logistics via M621, primary hub for delivery operations |
| Cross Gates (LS15) | East Leeds hub | M1 access, growing area for food production and delivery |
| Meanwood (LS7) | Premium / Deliveroo Editions | Higher-end location, Deliveroo Editions present, premium brand positioning |
| Bradford (BD postcode) | CPU / production arbitrage | Units from £3-5/sq ft. Good for CPU and production — lower overheads than Leeds |
| City Centre (LS1) | Avoid for pure delivery | High rent, poor logistics. Better for dine-in or collection, not delivery-only |
AD:VENTURE Grants for Leeds Food Businesses
Grants of £1,500 - £10,000
The AD:VENTURE programme funds capital equipment purchases for businesses in West Yorkshire. Food businesses can apply — but position yourself as a Food Manufacturer or CPU, not as a "takeaway".
Preparing for Your Inspection
Inspections can be unannounced. Maintain standards consistently, not just before expected visits. Environmental Health Officers can visit any time during your operating hours. In Leeds, expect your first inspection within 6 months of registration.
Key Leeds Contacts
Environmental Health (Food Safety)
Phone: 0113 222 4444
Email: food.safety@leeds.gov.uk
For: Food business registration, hygiene ratings, inspections
Food Business Registration
Phone: 0113 222 4444
Email: food.safety@leeds.gov.uk
For: Online registration, guidance on requirements
Visit pageFood Inspections
Phone: 0113 222 4444
Email: food.safety@leeds.gov.uk
For: Inspection queries, re-rating requests
Visit pageNoise & Planning Guidance
Phone: 0113 222 4444
For: Noise assessments (BS4142), odour requirements, planning consultee
Visit page
Written by
James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register a food business in Leeds?
Register online at leeds.gov.uk at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration is free. Contact food.safety@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 222 4444 for guidance. After registration, expect an inspection within 6 months. You can start trading after 28 days even if the inspection hasn't happened yet.
What planning permission do I need for a dark kitchen in Leeds?
Dark kitchens in Leeds are classified as Sui Generis. You need a full planning application for "Change of Use to Commercial Kitchen and Delivery Centre (Sui Generis)". The process takes 8-12 weeks. Environmental Health scrutinises noise, odour, and highways impact. You cannot simply rent a warehouse and start cooking — planning permission is required first.
What is the 400m school exclusion zone in Leeds?
Policy HFT 1 in the Leeds Hot Food Takeaway SPD prohibits new hot food takeaways within 400m of secondary schools, unless the premises is in a designated town centre. Dark kitchens are often caught by this rule as they fall under the same Sui Generis umbrella. Always check your intended location against the exclusion zone map before signing a lease.
What are the Leeds noise requirements for commercial kitchens?
Leeds applies the BS4142 standard. Extraction fan noise must be 10dB below the background noise level at night (19:00-07:00). This typically requires acoustic silencers, anti-vibration mounts, and quality fans. Environmental Health is a statutory consultee on all kitchen planning applications and will assess your noise impact.
Can I get funding for a food business in Leeds?
Yes. The AD:VENTURE programme offers grants of £1,500-£10,000 for capital equipment purchases. You must be a B2B trading entity based in West Yorkshire. Apply as a "Food Manufacturer" or "CPU" — not as a "takeaway". Purely B2C delivery businesses are likely to be rejected. Visit ad-venture.org.uk for current eligibility and application details.
How much does it cost to set up a commercial kitchen in Leeds?
Managed pod: approximately £2,500/month. Industrial unit in Holbeck (LS11): £6-10/sq ft/year. Kitchen fit-out CAPEX: £40-50k typically (extraction £15k, gas installation £5k, cladding £5k, equipment £20k). Bradford units available from £3-5/sq ft for CPU and production use.
What food hygiene rating do I need to trade on delivery apps in Leeds?
Generally you need 3+ stars on the FHRS to list on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Premium brands typically require 4-5 stars. Inspections usually happen within 6 months of registration. If you're producing animal-origin products for other businesses (B2B), you need full FSA Approval under EC 853/2004, not just standard registration.
What are the best areas for a dark kitchen in Leeds?
Holbeck (LS11) is the main dark kitchen zone — low rent with good logistics via M621. Cross Gates (LS15) offers M1 access and is an emerging East Leeds hub. Meanwood (LS7) is the premium option with Deliveroo Editions presence. Avoid Leeds city centre (LS1) for pure delivery operations — high rent and poor logistics. Bradford offers cheaper units (£3-5/sq ft) for CPU and production work.