Register your food business first
Every food business must register with its local authority at least 28 days before trading. For a mobile unit, this is usually the council where the vehicle is kept, garaged or mainly operated from. If you prepare or store food at home or in a separate unit, that premises may also need to be registered.
You can start from gov.uk food business registration or use gov.uk to find your local council. Registration is a legal requirement and should be updated if your business details, operating base or activities change.
Check street trading rules for every area
Street trading consent or a street trading licence is set locally, so permission in one area does not automatically allow you to trade in another. Councils may ask for details such as:
- Proposed pitch location and trading hours
- Vehicle size, layout and photographs
- Menu and cooking methods
- Public liability insurance
- Waste and noise arrangements
- Gas, electrical and fire safety documents
- Food hygiene rating or inspection history
Private land is not always a shortcut. You will need the landowner’s permission, and some councils still require consent depending on the location and type of trading. Always check before paying for a pitch, advertising a service or travelling to a new area.
Keep hygiene and allergen controls inspection-ready
Environmental health officers will expect you to show that food is stored, prepared, cooked, cooled and served safely. Your controls should be practical for a tight mobile kitchen, not just written down and forgotten.
Use FSA business guidance to review the basics, including hygiene procedures, temperature control, cross-contamination, cleaning and allergen management. Keep clear records for:
- Fridge and freezer temperatures
- Cooking and reheating checks
- Cleaning schedules
- Supplier traceability
- Staff training
- Allergen information for every menu item
If you sell prepacked for direct sale food, check the labelling rules carefully, including full ingredients and emphasised allergens.
Do not overlook safety certificates and insurance
Your vehicle, equipment and working practices must be safe for staff, customers and the public. Common documents include:
- Public liability insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance if you employ staff
- Vehicle insurance covering business use
- LPG/gas safety checks by a competent qualified engineer
- Electrical inspection records
- Fire risk assessment
- Fire extinguisher servicing records
Some requirements are legal obligations, while others may be conditions of a pitch, council consent or event booking. Treat them all as essential operating documents.
Plan for waste, water and environmental rules
Mobile food businesses need safe access to potable water, proper handwashing facilities and a responsible plan for wastewater, food waste and used cooking oil. Do not pour fat, oil or wash water into drains unless you are specifically permitted to do so.
Keep evidence of commercial waste arrangements and oil collections where relevant. Councils may ask how you control litter, packaging, noise, smoke and odour, especially in residential or high-footfall areas.
Keep a simple compliance register
Instead of relying on memory, create a spreadsheet or calendar-based register for every licence, certificate and inspection. Track:
- Council area and licence type
- Renewal dates and fees
- Insurance renewal dates
- Gas, electrical and fire checks
- Staff training dates
- Waste contracts and collection records
- Key council contacts
- Notes from inspections
Set reminders well before expiry dates, such as 60, 30 and 7 days out. Store digital copies in one organised folder so you can respond quickly when a council, landowner or organiser asks for proof.
Make compliance part of the craft
Good street food depends on trust as much as flavour. When your paperwork is current, your hygiene systems are tidy and your pitch permissions are clear, you can focus on service, speed and quality. Before entering any new area, contact the relevant council, confirm the rules in writing, and update your compliance register before you trade.