What UK law and the regulators actually require of a restaurant that publishes.
Does a restaurant's fire risk assessment have to be written down? In England and Wales, since 1 October 2023 the assessment has to be recorded in full, whatever the headcount; the old limit tied to employing five or more people has gone. The assessment follows five steps, and it must be reviewed regularly and after a significant change such as a refit. Routes to emergency exits and the exits themselves must be kept clear at all times. Where there are fryers, the Home Office guide says a fire blanket and a Class F extinguisher should be provided. Starters are trained when first employed, during working hours, and at least one fire drill a year should be recorded. A summary of public law and official guidance, not legal advice.
Here's everything you need to open a restaurant in the UK in 2026 and 2027: every registration in the right order, for a big sit-down restaurant, a small restaurant or café, a takeaway and a dark kitchen. Companies House and HMRC, the planning use class, business rates, food business registration 28 days before trading, food safety and allergens, alcohol and late night licences, PAYE, right to work, the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour, fire safety, Simpler Recycling and VAT, with the rule changes coming in 2027.
Thinking of a fingerprint or face-scan clock-in for your restaurant staff? Under UK GDPR it is special category data, and consent only works if a card or PIN route stays genuinely open. In 2024 the ICO ordered one employer to stop and destroy the data, impact assessment and all.
