To start a coffee business in Ireland, secure a viable site and get compliant fast: confirm zoning/change‑of‑use with your local council, budget for fit‑out, fire safety and disability access certificates, and apply for any street‑furniture licence if you want outdoor seating (councils typically require €6.5m public liability). Register the food business with the HSE at least 28 days pre‑opening and implement HACCP aligned to Regulation (EC) 852/2004; train staff to Level 2 Food Safety and document allergen controls and traceability. Choose structure (sole trader or limited company), register your business name/CRO, open a business bank account, obtain a TRN, register for VAT at the right rates for hot beverages vs retail packs, and register as an employer for PAYE. Negotiate a lease with landlord consent for alterations; confirm commercial rates, waste contracts (brown bin/food waste), and any Irish Water trade‑effluent consent. Specify equipment to match volume: a 2–3 group machine (20–32A), on‑demand grinders, and water treatment to SCA targets (hardness 50–100 ppm, alkalinity ~40–50 ppm). Source a roaster who offers barista training and preventive maintenance. Build a Revenue‑compliant POS (tips compliance notice, till procedures), IMRO/PPI music licence, Google Business Profile, and a cash‑flow buffer of 6–9 months from day one.
