When opening a food shop of any kind it is important you contact the local Trading Standards department at your local Council to ensure you comply with both local and national laws and requirements. You can find your local office here: tradingstandards.uk/

Another good source of information is the Food Standards Agency (FSA). They can supply you all relevant advice on things like: Food Hygiene Self Assessment and Ratings, Food Safety Management, Allergen Guidance, Food Labelling Laws, as well as general guidance for all food business operators, large and small.

To avoid potential issues it is best if you run through the following checklist.

• Business Registration – Registration applies to all food businesses, including home caterers, stalls and mobile vans. Registration is free and businesses must register at least 28 days before opening.
• Premises Inspection – You will need your shop premises approved by the local council if you are handling any meat, fish, dairy or egg products. So unless you’re a an ultra-vegan sandwich shop, this is a must.
• Food Safety Management – It is a legal requirement to have a documented food management safety system based on the ‘HACCP’ (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system. The best way to work one of these documents up is to use one of the ‘Safer food, better business’ information packs from the FSA.
• Food Hygiene Training Certificate – It is a legal requirement that you are trained and certified in food preparation hygiene. The most common way to satisfy this requirement is for food handlers to gain a Level 2 Award in food safety and catering.
• Imported food – If you are a specialist shop that is importing foods directly you will need to deal with some extra regulations.

Further reading on health and safety in an office environment

SmallBusiness UK have produced a guide to health and safety in the workplace.