Permits, costs, timeline, and step-by-step requirements.
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Starting a business in Portsmouth requires a Premises Licence / Food Registration through the Portsmouth City Council Licensing. Base fee: £100-£1,905. 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.
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)
Estimated total: £100-£1,905 depending on permits and inspections.
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