There is no general license required to run a business in the UK and in most cases, you can trade without one, provided you’re properly set up with HMRC and have registered a legal trading structure for your business (such as a limited company, or sole trader). Licensing
However, there are a wide range of business activities that do require a licence in the UK. This includes:
- Selling Alcohol
- Street Trading
- Holding an event
- Taxi companies
- Operating a food business
- Operating a hotel or B&B
- Pet shops, zoos, or other examples where animal welfare is relevant
- Childminding and nursery businesses
- Scrap Dealing
- Gambling businesses
- Carrying out certain Financial activities
- Playing recorded music in public, for example, in a shop
Different licenses may be issued by a variety of authorities, including District and County Councils, and other Government authorities.
If you are unsure of the licensing requirements for your business, as a next step, we recommend visit the Council’s licensing pages for further advice: