☕️ Opening a Café or Restaurant in Scotland? Grab Our Essential Prelaunch List
Opening a café or restaurant in Scotland is an exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking!) adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy coffee shop in Edinburgh, a farm-to-table bistro in the Highlands, or a trendy bakery in Glasgow, there’s a lot to check off before you can open your doors.
At Och & Aye, we work closely with cafés and restaurants across Scotland, helping them look as good online as they do in person. But before you invest in beautiful branding and a polished website, let’s make sure you have all your pre-launch essentials covered.
1 Food Business Resignation
2 Food Hygiene & Safety Standards
3 Licensing Requirements
4 Brand & Online Presence
5 Marketing & Launch
1 Get Your Food Business Registered
If you’re handling food — even if it’s just drinks or pastries — you must register your business with your local council at least 28 days before opening. This is a legal requirement under Scottish food safety laws, and it’s free to do.
→ Find your local council here:
https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
2 Meet Food Hygiene & Safety Standards
Every café or restaurant in Scotland needs to comply with food hygiene regulations. This includes:
Having at least one staff member trained in food hygiene
Following safe food handling and storage practices
Preparing for regular environmental health inspections
→ Learn more about food hygiene in Scotland:
https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/business-and-industry/safety-and-regulation/food-hygiene
3 Check Licensing Requirements
Depending on your setup, you may need additional licenses or permits, such as:
Alcohol license (if you plan to serve drinks)
Outdoor seating permit
Music license (if you play music inside)
Pavement signage license (for chalkboards or signs outside)
Check with your local council to make sure you’re fully covered.
→ Read about licensing in Scotland here:
https://www.mygov.scot/licences
4 Set Up Your Brand & Online Presence
This is where Och & Aye comes in! ✨ Before you launch, make sure your café or restaurant is easy to find and love online:
Logo & branding — A distinctive logo, colour palette, and font choices
Website — With menus, opening hours, location, contact details, and booking options
Social media profiles — Instagram, Facebook, and Google My Business to reach local customers
Professional photos — Of your space, food, and team to showcase your personality
→ Need a shortcut? Check out our:
Bonnie Business Boost Package — perfect for small Scottish cafés and restaurants ready to shine online.
5 Prepare for Marketing & Launch Buzz
Get your community excited! Before opening, you should:
Announce your launch on social media
Offer a soft launch or preview night
Create flyers or posters to distribute locally
Collaborate with local influencers or food bloggers
Encourage customers to leave reviews after they visit
The more buzz you build early, the faster you’ll fill your tables.
→ Claim your Google Business Profile here:
https://www.google.com/business/
Final Thoughts
Launching a café or restaurant in Scotland is about more than just great food and drink — it’s about creating an experience that connects with your community, both offline and online.
At Och & Aye, we specialize in branding, website design, social media graphics, and print design for small food businesses across Scotland. If you’re getting ready to launch, we’d love to help you look your best!
👉 Get in touch with us today to chat about your project. Let’s brew up something brilliant together!
