Business Licenses and Permits Requirements in the United Kingdom
Know your business licenses and permits requirements in the United Kingdom with 3E Accounting’s quick read.
Starting a business in the United Kingdom is something a lot of entrepreneurs aspire to. It is one of the best places to trade and ranks high in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business survey. The United Kingdom has streamlined its regulatory framework, and you can have a company ready for business within a day. Before rolling out the welcome mat, it’s crucial to deal with compliance, especially business licenses and permits requirements in the United Kingdom. Getting this done from the start will ensure there is no obstacle to your business success.
Compliance and Such
A business licence or permit is needed before you start your business activity. It is an official permit that can only be issued by the United Kingdom Government or approved authority. The type of licence that your business may require will depend on a few factors which include the type of activity or industry. The location of your business will also affect the type of permits you will need.
The United Kingdom Government website has a comprehensive list of licences and permits. It also has a handy search tool to help make it easier to find what you need. As an added precaution, it is advisable to check in with the relevant local authorities for anything you may have missed. This includes industry-specific permits as well as any zoning restrictions on business activities.
Engaging an agent to ensure compliance makes things easier as regulations differ from one local authority to another. Different rules apply to depend on whether your business is in England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. An experienced and reliable agency such as 3E Accounting will be able to ensure your business gets the appropriate approvals. This is a good return on investment as it will give you the freedom to concentrate on your business entirely.
Whether you choose to do it yourself or engage an agent, licensing and permits must be sorted before you start trading. Failure to do so can result in some severe fines and penalties. The worst-case scenario is that you may be barred from applying for the license in future.
Some of the license and permits your business may require to include:
- CCTV License: for any type of surveillance activity.
- Food business license and permits: quite extensive and includes personal liquor licence, premises approval and license, etc. Most importantly, food business registration must be done for all locations that carry out any sort of food-based activity.
- Permission to process personal data in the automated format: falls under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Information Commissioner’s Office must be notified.
- Child work permit: to employ children aged 13 years and above, which is the legal limit for children allowed to be employed in the United Kingdom.
- Good vehicle operator licence: issued by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The type will depend on the exact nature of the activity and weight of goods to be transported.
- Environmental permits: necessary for activities such as manufacturing, recycling, etc.
- Music license and TV licence: including to play the background or recorded music or to stream programmes.
- Street Trading or Market Stall license: can be either a temporary or permanent approval.
These are just some of the more basic approvals needed. To ensure full compliance with business licenses and permits requirements in the United Kingdom, Contact 3E Accounting today. Our team of professionals are ready to customise business solutions to meet your every need. Along with our affiliates and partners, 3E Accounting offers impeccable service with international expertise and regional support.
