I helped open a high-end Japanese restaurant in London in 2023. Nobody warned me how complicated it would be.
This isn’t a step-by-step guide from a government website. This is what actually happened — the costs, the timelines, and the things that almost derailed us.
Two Types of Licences (And One That’s a Nightmare)
First thing to understand: there are personal licences (someone on staff needs these) and premises licences (the restaurant itself needs these).
The personal ones? Annoying, but manageable.
The premises licence? That’s where things get painful.
Personal Licences I Had to Get
Here’s everything I personally got certified for:
Food Safety & Hygiene Level 3 — £27 + £5 for the certificate. Took a few hours online. Required for HACCP compliance. I used Eversley Training.
HACCP Level 3 — This is about documenting your food safety procedures. One staff member needs to be the named responsible person, displayed in the restaurant. If you don’t have this, you can get shut down.
Personal Licence — Needed if you want to serve alcohol. This one’s a process:
- Get the qualification first
- Apply to your local council
- Include a photo, the certificate, and a basic DBS check
- Post it all in one envelope
- Wait
I waited exactly 40 days for my card to arrive.
Fire Marshal — One staff member needs this. Basic training, done in January 2023.
Emergency First Aid at Work — Same deal. Someone needs to be certified.
Food Allergy & Intolerance Training — More recent requirement. Quick online course.
Total cost for personal licences: Around £200-300, plus your time.
The Premises Licence (The Hard Part)
If you want to serve alcohol, play music, or stay open late, you need a Premises Licence from the council.
This is where it gets expensive and slow.
What’s involved:
- Detailed application about your premises
- A floor plan
- Your operating schedule (hours, activities)
- The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) — needs to hold a Personal Licence
- Public consultation period (neighbours can object)
- Possible hearing if there are objections
Cost: Depends on your rateable value, but expect £100-£1,000+ for the application, plus legal fees if you use a solicitor.
Timeline: 2-3 months minimum. If someone objects, longer.
My advice: Start this process before you sign a lease if possible. Some locations have licensing issues that will never get resolved.
Things Nobody Told Me
The council can reject you for noise. Even if the previous tenant was a restaurant. Every application is assessed fresh.
Your extractor fan situation matters. Planning permission for ventilation in older London buildings is a whole separate battle. Budget for this.
Inspections happen after you open. You’ll get an unannounced HACCP inspection. They check your documentation, your fridge temperatures, your cleaning schedules. Have everything ready.
Personal Licence holders are personally liable. If something goes wrong with alcohol service, the DPS can face personal consequences. This is not just paperwork.
Rough Cost Breakdown
For a small, high-end restaurant in London (2023 prices):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Personal licences & training | £200-300 |
| Premises licence application | £300-1,000+ |
| Legal/consulting fees | £500-2,000+ |
| HACCP documentation setup | £0 (DIY) to £500+ |
| Unexpected delays | Priceless |
This doesn’t include fit-out, rent deposit, equipment, or stock. Just the licensing.
Was It Worth It?
Honestly? It depends on your tolerance for bureaucracy.
The UK system is thorough. That’s good for food safety. But if you’re coming from a country where you can open a restaurant in a few weeks, prepare for culture shock.
My recommendation: budget 3-6 months just for licensing, and don’t sign anything expensive until your Premises Licence is approved.
Need Help?
I’ve been through this process and now help Japanese businesses navigate UK market entry, including restaurant licensing and localisation.
If you’re planning to open in the UK, get in touch — happy to share what I know.
This article is based on my experience in 2023. Regulations change. Always check the latest requirements with your local council and gov.uk.
About the Author
Ayaka Uchida is the CEO of A-Digital Works Ltd, a UK-Japan business consultancy specialising in market entry, localisation, and SEO. She has hands-on experience opening high-end restaurants in London and holds HACCP Level 3, Personal Licence, Fire Marshal certification, and multiple food safety qualifications.
She also runs Nihon GO! World, a Japanese language school with government-certified teachers across the UK, EU, and Australia.
Connect:
References & Official Resources
- Premises Licence – GOV.UK
- Personal Licence – GOV.UK
- Food Hygiene for Your Business – GOV.UK
- HACCP Principles – Food Standards Agency
Related Articles
- イギリスでの飲食店開業、ライセンス（日本語版） — Original Japanese version on A-Digital Works
- イギリス、ワーホリ起業 — Starting a business in the UK on a Working Holiday visa
About the Author
Ayaka Uchida is a government-certified Japanese teacher and CEO of A-Digital Works Ltd, a London-based digital marketing and localization company. With over 10 years of experience in international business development across Japan, Singapore, the US, and Europe, she founded Nihon GO! World in 2023 to bridge global markets through language education and cultural consulting.