A manageable rent can still come with licensing and building constraints. Establish feasibility before committing deposits and fit-out costs.
What to have ready
Before you start
Business registration does not establish that a particular unit can accommodate your operation. TID's SUCCESS licence-information service helps identify licences and responsible authorities by business type, while individual activities such as food operations have their own requirements. Ask two questions separately: which permissions does this activity need, and can this exact unit satisfy them? A previous tenant's operation or a landlord's verbal assurance does not settle a different proposed business model.
What to do, step by step
- List every activity, including cooking, storage, classes, display, music, takeaway and alcohol where relevant. Include hours, intended occupancy and deliveries. A detailed description is more useful to the licensing authority than a label such as lifestyle studio, which may hide several regulated operations.
- Use SUCCESS to locate the responsible authority and then read that department's current application guide. Put questions in terms of the unit and operating process and save the replies. A general industry checklist starts the investigation but does not replace requirements issued for a specific application.
- Have appropriate qualified professionals assess relevant plans, use, fire safety, ventilation, drainage and escape arrangements. Ask whose consent is needed for works, whether access is available and what costs arise before approval. Identify any issue that could make the desired opening date unrealistic.
- Before signing, discuss licensing cooperation, alteration rights, any rent-free period and feasibility risk, obtaining legal review of the terms. Open only within the applicable permissions once obtained. Retain licence documents and renewal dates, with a procedure for reviewing a later change of activity.
Costs, timing, and things to check
For an existing licence, verify its holder, address, scope and transfer procedure. Changing the lease name and transferring a licence are separate matters. Do not reuse a predecessor's number in advertising until the authority's process establishes your own permission.
Include rent, deposits, works, professional fees and working capital during the waiting period in the budget. Require estimates to state assumptions and exclusions. An initial site visit can identify issues but cannot guarantee that the authority will approve the completed application.
A practical example
A founder wants to sell freshly prepared desserts from a former retail unit. She describes preparation, washing and collection to FEHD and a works adviser, identifying drainage and ventilation issues requiring assessment. She obtains a written works proposal and lease advice before deciding on a deposit. The fact that the unit previously held a shop does not become a substitute for checking the proposed food operation.
Establish both business permissions and unit feasibility before committing to a lease and works.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.