Catering Trailers – The Rules

If you buy a catering trailer you need to know the  regulations before you can do business.

Contrary to common belief you can’t just buy a van and trade! Like any other industry, there are licenses to be obtained and standards to be met. This articles aims at familiarizing the uninitiated with the rules of the game; so if you happen to fall into that category keep reading…

The best way to go about this is to get in contact with your local council – they are sure to provide you with all particulars of the licenses and registrations required. Basically one thing you would most definitely need to do is register with the Environmental Health Department. If you have any equipment in your trailer that run on LPG, you would need to obtain an LPG certificate. Likewise your electrical equipment would need an electrical certificate.

Also don’t be under the impression that you can just park your catering trailer anywhere you wish to and start selling. You would need to obtain permissions from the land owner/ event organizer if it is a fete or a ground. If you are operating from the side of a street, you would need to apply for a street trading consent from the local bodies.

Further more, do keep in mind that due to the licensing act of 2003, you now need to procure a premises license in order to serve any kind of hot food or drink between 11 pm and 5 am. An additional entertainment license would also be mandatory especially if alcohol were on the menu.

Keep all your finances in order by opening a valid bank account for it. The Inland Revenue always keeps an eye on these kinds of businesses so make sure you are on the right side of the law when it comes to money.

Catering trailers  are a full fledged business, not a hobby,  and should be dealt with responsibly

If you want things to run smoothly you need to check and sort out all the legalities first.

Tagged as: catering trailer, Catering Trailers Mobile Catering