Opening a business

The registrations and licences that commonly come up when opening premises in Hastings, in the order they usually arise, each linked to the body that runs it. Which ones apply depends on the business; each page says.

1. The premises and planning

• Use classes (what a building may be used for) ↗

  Planning Portal · checked 11 Oct 2026

• Do I need planning permission? ↗

  Hastings Borough Council · checked 11 Oct 2026

  Also: The council's planning advice service ↗ · Business premises in planning, on Open Hastings

2. Food

• Food business registration ↗

  Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · checked 11 Oct 2026

  The Food Standards Agency's guidance says to register 28 days before you start providing food.

• Food safety for businesses ↗

  Hastings Borough Council · checked 11 Oct 2026

3. Alcohol, entertainment and late-night food

• Premises licences ↗

  Hastings Borough Council · checked 11 Oct 2026

  Also: Premises licence (GOV.UK) ↗

• Licensing (every licence the borough council issues) ↗

  Hastings Borough Council · checked 11 Oct 2026

4. Business rates

• Business rates in Hastings ↗

  Hastings Borough Council · checked 11 Oct 2026

  Also: Relief and reductions ↗ · Business rates relief (GOV.UK) ↗

5. Waste

• Commercial waste ↗

  Hastings Borough Council · checked 12 Oct 2026

  The council's page says businesses, including holiday lets and short-term rentals, are legally responsible for their waste and can't use household bins, the tip or street litter bins for it. The borough council doesn't run a trade waste collection: its page says to arrange one with any licensed waste contractor.

  Also: The council's guide to the duty of care (PDF) ↗

• Simpler Recycling (workplace recycling in England) ↗

  GOV.UK · checked 12 Oct 2026

  GOV.UK's guidance says that since 31 March 2025 every workplace in England must keep dry recyclables, food waste and other waste apart for collection; firms with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027.

Starting up

• Set up a business ↗

  GOV.UK · checked 11 Oct 2026

• Business advice and skills
• For local businesses

How many properties in Hastings are rated, this year’s multipliers and how to check a valuation: Business rates in Hastings.

For contracts, tenders and premises applications already on the record, see the business pages.

Every outside link on this page was opened and read on the day shown beside it, most recently 12 Oct 2026. Each goes to the body that runs the service. Links not rechecked for 90 days are listed on data health.