The following is an outline of some of the key areas where legislation may be particularly relevant to your business.
What licences does a butcher need?
Because your shop will prepare, store and sell food you will need to register with your local environmental health department. They will inspect your premises and help you to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Act and regulations. You should contact your local authority early on in your planning so that you register in good time - you'll need to register at least 28 days before you start any food operations. There is no charge for registering.
Selling game
Apart from in Scotland, you don't need a licence to sell game, although you must make sure that any game bird or venison you sell was lawfully killed. Venison dealers in Scotland still need to hold a venison licence, although generally the need to have a licence only applies to wholesalers - retailers who buy venison only from a licensed dealer don't need to have a licence themselves.
Background music
If you plan to play background music in your shop you will probably need a Music Licence from PPL PRS Ltd. There is an annual fee for this which you can pay online on the PPL PRS website.
Food safety
All businesses in the food sector must comply with strict food safety legislation. Before you open, you must register your business with the local authority environmental health department. Your local environmental health officer will be able to give you advice and guidance as to what you should install in your premises to make sure your operating areas are hygienic and how to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Act and regulations.
You should be aware of the following:
- food hygiene and safety regulations, including compliance with HACCP procedures
- food labelling and information regulations. If you are planning to supply any prepacked food, such as pies or sausages, to another outlet - for example a delicatessen - then this food has to be clearly labelled
- weights and measures legislation. This regulates the sale of all products sold by weight or count. All food goods sold loose from bulk, such as mince, must be priced and weighed in metric units (although you can also show prices in imperial units as well if you want)
Food waste
If your business produces food waste you must make sure that you dispose of it correctly. It must not contaminate the environment and it can't be fed to livestock. If you use a waste carrier to get rid of your waste you'll need to make sure they're properly authorised - you're allowed to dispose of up to 20kg per week of animal by-products through normal waste disposal. You can find out more about your responsibilities on the Gov.uk website.
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Carrier bag charge
A minimum 10p charge applies for single-use carrier bags in England (other rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). You can get detailed guidance from the GOV.UK website.
Health & Safety, fire
You must comply with workplace health and safety and fire safety legislation.
Employment legislation
Anyone employing staff must comply with employment legislation. Important areas of legislation include recruitment, employment contracts, pay, working hours, holidays, employment policies, sickness, maternity, paternity, discrimination, discipline, grievances, dismissals, redundancies and employment tribunals.
Insurance for a butcher
Contact an insurer or insurance broker and explain exactly how your business will operate - they will then explain what insurance cover you must have by law, and other cover you should consider. This might include:
- premises, premises contents and stock
- goods in transit (for example on the way back from a cash and carry, or delivering to customers)
- freezer breakdown
- cash
- business interruption
- employers liability
- public and products liability
- motor insurance (for delivery vehicles)