Before anything else, the business itself needs to be legally established:

• Business structure: register as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company with HMRC and, if applicable, Companies House.
• Insurance: public liability insurance is essential for any premises open to the public; employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement as soon as you take on staff.
• Tax and PAYE: register for Self Assessment or Corporation Tax as appropriate, and set up PAYE if employing staff.

Planning permission and change of use

If the unit you’re taking on isn’t already in the correct use class, or you’re making external alterations (new shopfront, signage, extraction, etc.), you’re likely to need planning permission — or at least pre-application advice.

• Development Control: Trafford Council’s planning team processes applications taking into account borough policy, government guidance and the individual merits of each scheme. Applications should be submitted online via the Planning Portal, with supporting documents and payment made electronically.
• Altrincham Town Centre Neighbourhood Business Plan: made in July 2021 and now part of Trafford’s Development Plan, this sets specific policies on design, access, local services and town centre development for part of the town centre. It’s worth checking whether your unit falls within its boundary, particularly for shopfront design and signage.
• Conservation areas & listed buildings: advertisement consent may be needed separately from planning permission if your premises sits within a conservation area or is a listed building.
• Building control: any structural work needs building regulations sign-off, and fire safety compliance (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) applies to all commercial premises.

Business rates

Business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties and collected by Trafford Council to help fund local services.

• Notify the Council: if you’re moving into a non-domestic property in Trafford, you need to let the Business Rates team know.
• Rate relief: you may be entitled to relief that reduces your bill — some is automatic, but a number of schemes require a direct application.

Premises licence

Needed if you plan to sell alcohol, provide late-night refreshment (hot food/drink between 11pm and 5am), or host regulated entertainment.

• Who can apply: anyone carrying on a business at the premises, provided they are 18 or over.
• Process: applications go to Trafford Council on the prescribed form, with a form of consent from the premises supervisor where alcohol sales are involved (under the Licensing Act 2003).
• Consultation: applications go through a public consultation period, during which anyone can make a representation against the four licensing objectives.

Food business registration

Required by law for any premises used for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food — including cafés, restaurants, shops, market stalls and mobile vans.

• Timing: premises must be registered with Trafford Council’s Environmental Health team at least 28 days before opening.
• Ongoing compliance: once registered, the business is subject to risk-based food hygiene inspections. You’ll need a written food safety management system based on HACCP principles (the FSA’s free “Safer Food Better Business” pack is a common starting point), and food handlers should be trained to a level appropriate to their duties.

Other permits to check

• Pavement licences (tables, chairs, A-boards on the public highway)
• Waste collection — commercial waste needs a trade waste contract, separate from domestic bin collections
• Street trading consent, if applicable
• Music/performance licensing (PRS/PPL) for playing recorded or live music

Altrincham BID (Business Improvement District) was established in 2016 and represents over 500 businesses across the town centre, including the market, Stamford Quarter and George Street. It is funded by a mandatory levy charged on top of business rates, agreed by ballot of local businesses.

• The levy: charged as a percentage of rateable value — historically around 2% — and is separate from, but collected alongside, business rates. It funds projects and events the BID board has approved, covering areas such as marketing, events, cleaning and greening, and town centre promotion.
• Current term: the BID’s third term runs from April 2026 to March 2031, following an 89.38% vote in favour of renewal. A business opening now becomes liable for the levy under this existing term and business plan — the next opportunity for businesses to vote on the BID’s future will be at the next renewal ballot.
• Governance: the BID board includes representatives from Altrincham’s business community, Trafford Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.
• What you get: as a levy-paying business you’re automatically part of the BID’s activity — town centre marketing (including the Visit Altrincham platform), events such as the Christmas Lights Switch on and Taste of Altrincham, and a collective voice on town centre issues.

Businesses should confirm the exact current levy rate and threshold (based on rateable value) directly with Altrincham BID, as these are set out in the BID’s business plan and may be updated over the term.

Trafford Council — Business, licences and consumers: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/business-licences-and-consumers

Trafford Council — Planning for Business: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/planning/planning-for-business/planning-for-business.aspx

Trafford Council — Food premises registration: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/business/environmental-health/food-safety/food-premises-registration.aspx

Trafford Council — Premises licence: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/business/licenses-and-permits/alcohol-and-entertainment/premises-licence.aspx

Altrincham BID / Visit Altrincham: https://visitaltrincham.com/altrincham-bid/