Street trading - illegal
Our policy is to regulate all street trading in areas approved by the Council where highway safety will not be impaired. For such sites, a trader's licence must be obtained from the Council's Markets Department.
The erection of signs or stalls for the sale of goods within the highway, including grass verges, is illegal. Any unlicensed use of the highway for tables and chairs is an obstruction and will be dealt with by the Environmental Enforcement Team.
There are three main types of permission that may have to be obtained before tables and chairs may be placed on a part of the highway:
Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent may be required from the Council for the use of the land or building for a cafe. There is a fee for this and planning approval must have been granted before the Council will consider an application.
A licence will be required, from the Council as the Highway Authority, to put tables and chairs out on a public highway, whether it be on the street or a pavement or a pedestrian area. There is a fee for this, payable before a licence can be issued.
If you offer your goods or service for sale without a licence your goods could be seized and you would be prosecuted for illegal street trading by the Environmental Enforcement Team.
Page updated: 16 Jan 2008