Licenses and permits to open a milk tea shop in London
A tea shop that makes drinks to order is a food service business, so the health permit and food safety training apply even with no kitchen. Here are the 5 filings, in the order they're made.
Company incorporation
Companies HouseUnited Kingdom, national
Filed online with Companies House. Every director and person with significant control must verify their identity first.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online applications are usually done within 24 hours.
VAT registration
HM Revenue & CustomsUnited Kingdom, national
Required once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in 12 months. A business not established in the UK registers from its first UK sale.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Employer registration (PAYE)
HM Revenue & CustomsUnited Kingdom, national
Register before the first payday; it can take up to 5 working days to get the employer reference.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Food business registration
Local council environmental healthUnited Kingdom, national
Register with the local council at least 28 days before opening. It's free, and the council inspects and gives a food hygiene rating.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Premises licence (alcohol or late-night hot food)
Local council licensingUnited Kingdom, national
Needed only to sell alcohol, or hot food and drink between 11pm and 5am.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
More on opening in London
Questions people ask
Other businesses in London
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your milk tea shop in London
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders