Start a Business in London

Permits, costs, timeline, and step-by-step requirements.

✔ 6 permits⏱ 2-8 weeks💰 £100-£1,905 (premises licence by rateable value)

Skip the research

Get your full roadmap instantly

Get My Roadmap →

Overview

Starting a business in London requires a Premises Licence / Food Registration through the 33 London borough councils + City of London Corp. Base fee: £100-£1,905 (premises licence by rateable value). Companies House registration covers all of UK. No general business licence required at national level. Local council handles premises, food, alcohol, entertainment licensing. Licensing Act 2003 governs alcohol/entertainment.

Required Permits

✓Register business with HMRC (free — sole trader or limited company)
✓Companies House registration (£12 online, if limited company)
✓Local council premises licence (if food/drink/entertainment — £100-£635)
✓Food business registration with local council (FREE, mandatory for all food)
✓Alcohol licence from local council (if applicable — £100-£635)
✓Planning permission (if change of use — ~£462)

Step-by-Step Process

1

Register business with HMRC (free — sole trader or limited company)

2

Companies House registration (£12 online, if limited company)

3

Local council premises licence (if food/drink/entertainment — £100-£635)

4

Food business registration with local council (FREE, mandatory for all food)

5

Alcohol licence from local council (if applicable — £100-£635)

6

Planning permission (if change of use — ~£462)

Costs

Estimated total: £100-£1,905 (premises licence by rateable value) depending on permits and inspections.

Contact

33 London borough councils + City of London Corp

Phone: 020 7332 1002 (City of London)

Apply Online →

Common Mistakes

⚠ 33 boroughs — each has own licensing team, street trading rules, and fees
⚠ Congestion charge zone affects delivery businesses
⚠ Late-night levy in some boroughs
⚠ Most competitive alcohol licensing market in UK
⚠ Street trading licence: £500–£2,000/year depending on borough
⚠ Food registration free but mandatory 28 days before opening

Choose Your Business Type

RestaurantFood TruckBarber ShopRetail StoreCoffee ShopBar / NightclubGym / Fitness StudioNail SalonCannabis DispensaryDog GroomingBakeryCleaning ServiceDaycare CenterAuto Repair Shop

Get your full permit roadmap

Everything in the right order with links, fees, and timelines.

Get My Roadmap → $29
Read our complete London business license guide →