Street trading

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Schedule 4 regulates these consents.

The law allows some activities to take place without the need for consent. These include:

• Pedlars trading as they travel (with a valid pedlar's licence)
• A market or fair that has been granted by enactment or order
• A trunk road picnic area
• A news vendor (in certain cases)
• A roundsman (for example, a milkman)
• A highway amenity
• An authorised street collection
• Trading in and around shops
• Trading within an event where entry is charged

If you want to sell hot food / drink between 11pm and 5am you may also need a premises licence from us.

You must be over 17 years of age to trade.

You can report a problem with a street trader using our online form.

How to apply for street trading consent to trade regularly at a particular location

You can apply on online using the GOV.UK website. 

Or you can download the Application form - street trading- regular trader, complete it and return it to us.

You will need to submit the following with your application:

• Public liability insurance (minimum of £10 million cover)
• A plan to show where the unit will be trading
• A photograph of the stall or trailer that you are going to use to trade from
• Permission from the landowner. If you are applying to trade on the public highway, we will consult with Hampshire County Council, however we would recommend that you contact the council on 0845 603 5633 to obtain its consent, before making an application
• Proof of your eligibility to live and work in the UK.  Please note, your consent may be for a shorter period to fit in with any expiry dates and restrictions on residence or work permits
• The relevant fee (see below)

How to apply for street trading consent for a free event open to the public

You can apply online using the GOV.UK website. 

Or you can download the Application form - street trading - events, complete it and return it to us.

You will need to submit the following with your application:

• Public liability insurance for each trader (minimum of £10 million cover)
• A plan to show where each unit will be trading
• Permission from the landowner. If you are applying to trade on the public highway, we will consult with Hampshire County Council, however we would recommend that you contact the council on 01962 833620 to obtain its consent, before making an application
• Proof of your eligibility to live and work in the UK. We may issue your consent for a shorter period to fit in with any expiry dates and restrictions on residence or work permits
• If a charitable event, authority to raise funds on behalf of the charity concerned
• The relevant fee (see below)

Cost of street trading consent

There is an application fee payable at the time you apply, followed by an enforcement fee payable if, and when, we grant consent. For details, see the table below.

Inspections and assessment

As part of your application, we will inspect the proposed location of the unit, and display site notices there.

We will refuse consent if:

• There is not enough space in the street you want to trade in, and you would inconvenience or interfere with street users
• You do not have the permission of the land owner to trade
• There are already enough similar shops or traders in that location
• You are unsuitable for consent because you have failed to pay fees or stick to street trading rules in the past
• Any other reasonable cause

We classify some streets as 'prohibited' streets, where we will normally refuse all street trading:

• Prohibited streets for street trading - Aldershot
• Prohibited streets for street trading - Farnborough

If you want to apply to trade on a prohibited street, you will need to submit a request in writing, explaining why you feel it would benefit the local area if you were permitted to trade there.

What happens once we receive your application

Your application is open to objections and comments from members of the public and the relevant authorities, such as food safety, pollution, Hampshire highways, for 21 days. If we receive comments, we will take them into consideration when deciding on the application.

We may revoke a consent or you can surrender it at any time.

Appealing our decision

There is no right of appeal against our refusal to grant or renew a consent. We will always give you reasons.

How to renew a street trading consent

Consent is valid for a maximum of one year and to renew, you must apply again.

How to tell us of changes

You can tell us of a changes to a street trading consent using the GOV.UK website.

Offences and penalties

If you do not have a street trading consent, you are at risk of enforcement action, prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

For more details, see the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Schedule 4.

Customer complaints

If you have a complaint against a trader, we advise you to contact them by letter (with proof of delivery).

If that fails and you are in the UK, the Citizens Advice will give you advice.

If you are outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.