Street Trading Licences and Consent

What is street trading?

Street trading in England and Wales is regulated under Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Under this law, "street trading" means selling, exposing, or offering for sale any article in a street.

"Street" is broadly defined and includes any road, footway, beach, or other area to which the public has access without payment. The key word is public — if the land is privately owned and is not a public highway, street trading rules do not apply.

Local authorities have the power to designate streets as:

• Consent streets — trading is allowed with written consent from the council.
• Licence streets — trading is allowed with a licence from the council.
• Prohibited streets — no street trading is permitted.

The designation varies by council, so the rules in one town may be different from the next.

When you do NOT need a street trading licence

Most stallholders at organised craft fairs and markets do not need a street trading licence. You are almost certainly exempt if:

• You are trading at an event on private land — a village hall, community centre, farm, church hall, private field, or any other private venue. The event organiser manages the land, not the council.
• You are trading at a chartered market or established market — these operate under their own legal authority and street trading rules do not apply.
• You are trading at an event where the organiser has obtained the necessary permissions from the local authority — this is the organiser's responsibility, not yours.

In all these cases, the event organiser is the person who needs to have the right permissions in place. As a stallholder, your job is to check that the event is properly organised — which it will be at any reputable craft fair or market.

When you DO need a licence or consent

You need a street trading licence or consent if you want to sell goods independently on a public street, pavement, or highway — for example:

• Setting up a stall on a high street.
• Selling from a pitch on a public square.
• Operating a pop-up stall on a public footpath or in a park.

To trade in these locations, you must apply to the local authority for the area where you want to trade. The process varies by council but typically involves:

• An application form specifying the location, dates, and type of goods.
• A fee — costs vary widely by council, typically from £50 to £500 or more depending on the location, duration, and type of trading.
• Possible conditions — the council may restrict your trading hours, the type of goods, or the size of your stall.
• Waiting lists — popular pitches in town centres may have waiting lists.

Always apply well in advance. Some councils take several weeks to process applications, and popular locations may be heavily oversubscribed.

The market trader exemption

Trading at a chartered market or established market does not usually require a separate street trading licence, even if the market takes place on a public street. This is because the market itself operates under its own legal authority — either a historic market charter or a modern market licence granted by the local authority.

As a stallholder at such a market, you are trading under the market's authority, not as an independent street trader. The market operator is responsible for the legal framework.

This exemption covers most regular town markets, farmers' markets on council land, and established craft markets with proper permissions.

Pedlar's certificates

A pedlar's certificate is a different thing entirely. It allows you to sell goods door-to-door or on the street without a fixed stall — but you must keep moving. The moment you set up a fixed pitch, you become a street trader and need a licence.

Key facts about pedlar's certificates:

• Cost: £12.25, issued by the police, valid for one year.
• You must be over 17 and apply to the police force for the area where you live.
• You must carry the certificate at all times while trading.
• You must keep moving — setting up a table, laying out goods on a blanket, or staying in one spot for extended periods means you are no longer acting as a pedlar.

Pedlar's certificates are not relevant to most craft fair stallholders, who operate from fixed stalls at organised events. They are more commonly used by door-to-door sellers or mobile traders.

Practical checklist for stallholders

Before booking a stall at any event, ask yourself:

• Is the event on private land? If yes, no street trading licence is needed from you.
• Is it an established market or chartered market? If yes, the market operator handles the permissions.
• Has the organiser confirmed they have the necessary permissions? A reputable organiser will have sorted this out.
• Am I planning to sell independently on a public street? If yes, contact the local council for that area to check whether the street is a consent street, licence street, or prohibited street.

If you are ever asked by a council officer or enforcement officer about your right to trade, the answer at an organised event is simple: you are trading as a stallholder at an event organised by someone else, and the event organiser holds the permissions. Keep your booking confirmation handy as proof.