Does my small enterprise require a licence?

Discover out which sort of enterprise licence you want

Earlier than you even begin buying and selling, it’s important that you just get your enterprise licence functions in place.

Most corporations will want a licence of some sort – actually, some may have a number of. They embrace those you count on like an alcohol licence… however you then’ve bought the extra obscure ones like placing chairs and tables on the pavement.

We’ll aid you set up simply what licences you want in your small enterprise.

Which varieties of companies want a licence?

Anyplace that sells liquor will want an alcohol licence and in case you’re in a constructing, you’ll want a premises licence too.

You’ll positively want a licence if your enterprise is concerned within the following areas:

Childcare
Canine breeding
Ear piercing
Playing companies
Taxi driver
Health coach/private coach
Pet store proprietor
Credit score and monetary companies
Safety guard
Items hauling (HGV)
Import and export
Meals companies
Tattoo parlour

Let’s take a few examples to see the way it all provides up.

Magnificence salon

The very first thing to examine is the media that’s enjoying inside your salon, whether or not that be a TV licence or a licence to play music. After that, apply for a CCTV licence, a pavement or avenue show licence and a premises licence – that’s in case you intend to present your purchasers a glass of bubbly with their minimize and blow dry.

Don’t overlook your utility to course of private knowledge from the Info Commissioner’s Workplace (ICO).

Meals truck

A meals truck proprietor will want a avenue buying and selling licence (apply a minimum of 28 days earlier than you begin buying and selling). When you don’t get one you might be fined as much as £1,000. Just be sure you and your entire employees have a stage two meals hygiene certificates too – you are able to do a day course for round £100 every.

Momentary licences

Not solely that, you’ve bought short-term licences to think about. They’re out there for avenue events and different one-off occasions. Once more, take into account every thing and do a licence examine as a part of your preliminary analysis.

With one-off occasions you want a licence to promote booze (however not in case you’re giving it away) and promoting meals after 11pm. You’re allowed alcohol as a raffle prize, however restrictions apply on what entrants can win – seek the advice of your native council. In case your raffle prizes equate to greater than £500, inform your council as you’ll have to register it as a lottery.

The place do I apply for licences?

Typically, your first cease for licences is your native authority. With different varieties of enterprise it is advisable undergo an expert physique just like the DVLA, the Playing Fee or the Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA). Childcare licensing is break up into the UK’s part international locations:

Ofsted in England
Care Inspectorate in Scotland
Care and Social Providers Inspectorate in Wales
Division of Well being, Social Providers and Public Security in Northern Eire

When you’re beginning a enterprise exterior England, it’s finest to examine your native authority as there could also be a devolved physique which offers along with your particular enterprise licence.

Once more, take every thing under consideration. For instance, if you wish to play music inside your premises, signal as much as PPL PRS. They take care of every thing music licensing.

Equally, a TV licence is required for enterprise premises which have a TV, even when it’s enjoying on mute within the background.

The Safety Trade Authority is the one to contact for a CCTV licence. You even want a Pedlar’s Certificates in case you’re promoting door-to-door (however not in case you go to clients and don’t promote to them). Apply at your native police station.

Take a shortcut with the federal government’s licence finder. It’ll ask you a number of questions on your enterprise actions to pin down precisely what licences you want.

Most of them will want a Felony Information Bureau (CRB) or a examine beneath the disclosure and barring service (DBS).

See additionally: Is your CCTV system GDPR compliant?

How a lot will a licence value?

The price might be depending on the kind of enterprise you need to run, the place you’re primarily based and the kind of licences you’re making use of for. It varies from £100 to a couple hundred kilos.

For instance, CCTV licences are £210 and final for 3 years. Licences are available two types: one for front-line operatives and one for non-frontline employees similar to managers.

Why do I would like enterprise licences?

In some cases, you want a licence for well being and security causes. Having a licence additionally retains you in line legally, holding your enterprise accountable for its actions and inspiring finest follow. Finance-wise, it helps you retain observe for tax functions.

What occurs if I don’t get a licence?

Those that don’t have a licence may very well be fined or imprisoned.

Not solely that, it is advisable obey the phrases of the licence in any other case you might be fined, convicted or have your enterprise shut down. You might not be allowed to use for the related licences once more, placing your enterprise at actual threat.

This is applicable to different authorized necessities like public legal responsibility insurance coverage as nicely.

For something we haven’t lined right here, examine your native authority’s enterprise licence net pages. They’ll lay down the phrases and circumstances, prices and timelines.

Learn extra

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