What business licences and permits do you need?
Tools & Resources
Ensuring you have the appropriate licences and permits when starting a new business is essential as you could be breaking the law without them. Not all businesses need a licence to trade, but often in situations where the health and safety of the public is concerned, licences and permits are key for making businesses accountable for their actions. Here, we discuss the main types of licencing UK businesses must and should apply for before they start trading.
Business licences are needed for various reasons, from processing customer information to playing music or having a television at your premises. The purpose of licensing is to ensure health and safety, encourage best practice and help you stay on top of your business finances.
Before setting up business in the UK, you should contact your local authority to see if there are any area-specific or industry-specific licences that would apply to you. There are key licences that some businesses operating across all local authorities in the UK will need to be aware of before they open their doors.
Here are some common licences for UK businesses to consider:
1
Public space surveillance (CCTV) licence
You must get a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) if you work as an operative (or supplier) of closed circuit television (CCTV) equipment to either monitor the activities of the public in a public or private place or identify a particular person.
This includes the use of CCTV to record images that are viewed on non-CCTV equipment but excludes the use of CCTV solely to identify a trespasser or protect property.
Find more information and apply here.
2
Music licence
You usually need to get a licence if you play recorded music in public or at your business, stage live music events in public, play live or recorded music in a theatre, or use sound recordings in a theatrical production.
TheMusicLicence from PRS PPL allows you to legally play commercial music for employees or customers in your business through the radio, TV, other digital devices or live performances.
Get TheMusicLicence here.
You can also consider using a royalty-free music provider such as Background Sounds as an alternative to TheMusicLicence. These services provide background music playlists by artists who have opted into the service, and subscriptions usually cost significantly less than TheMusicLicence.
Which option you choose is up to you, but to play music legally, you must have either the PRS PPL Music Licence, or be paying a subscription to a royalty-free music provider who will provide you with a certificate.
You can watch our webinar with Mel Anderson, Co-Founder of Background Sounds to learn more about how you can play music legally in your business.
3
Food business registration
When you start a new food business or take over an existing business, you must register with your local authority.
It is free to register and you should do so at least 28 days before opening. If you are already trading and have not registered, you must do so as soon as possible.
Find out how to apply.
4
Food premises approval
If your business involves handling meat, fish, eggs or dairy products, you must be inspected and may require approval by your local council. The council will then decide if you get approval or need to register.
Apply for food premises approval here.
Your company’s licensing needs will vary based upon the type of business you are running and what types of activities you plan to carry out.
The above is not an exhaustive list, and you can find other types of licences by using the GOV.UK licence finder tool.
Be warned - failure to get the correct licence for your business could result in loss of reputation, legal action taken against you, fees and fines and foreclosure, so make sure you do your research!
Next steps...
- Find out what licences you need for your business by using the GOV.UK licence finder tool.
- Factor the cost implications of any licensing requirements into your business planning and forecasting.
- If you’re going to open a food and drink business, consider what your health and safety regimen is going to look like, as poor standards could result in your licences being withdrawn. You’ll find more information from the Food Standards Agency here.
- If you are a Sat Nav user at the start of your business journey, you can register your limited company through Tide for FREE, and get £50 cashback on a Tide business bank account (powered by Clearbank).