Street Market Trading

Trading Guidelines for All

How can I pay my street trading fees
Where can I use the Pay Point card?
How will the market inspector know that I’ve paid using a Pay Point card?
How can I replace a lost Pay Point card?
How often do licences need to be renewed?
Can I sell other commodities/goods on my market stall?
Can I sell second hand Items?
What is the definition of a nearly new Item?
How can I change what I sell?
Are market traders entitled to holidays?
As a permanent trader what is required if I am sick?
Can I trade on Bank Holidays and Sundays?
Can I transfer my street trading licence to a friend?
Where can I get more infomation on market trading?
I want to make a complaint regarding Street Trading

How can I pay my street trading fees?

When you receive your licence you’ll be given a Pay Point card to pay your fees. Fees need to be paid daily, if you are a temporary traders and evidence of payment provided to the market inspector before you are allocated a pitch. Permanent traders pay weekly.

Where can I use the Pay Point card?

The Pay Point card can be used at any outlet with a Pay Point sign on it such as Sainsbury’s, Post Offices and local newsagents.

How will the market inspector know that I’ve paid using a Pay Point card?

Your Pay Point card will have your name and street trading licence number printed on it with digital references relating to the London Borough of Hackney bank account so every time you make a payment your account will be credited.

How can I replace a lost Pay Point card?

If your lose your Pay Point card or it is damaged, you’ll have to pay a £10 replacement fee. You can get a new card from the Markets and Street Trading office.

How often do licences need to be renewed?

A temporary licence is valid for six months so needs to be renewed every six months. It doesn’t guarantee a pitch – available or vacant pitches are issued to casual traders on a daily basis.

A permanent licence is valid for a year so needs to be renewed every 12 months. You will need to have been trading on a temporary licence for at least three months before you can apply for a permanent licence.

Each time you renew your licence you’ll need to pay an adminstration fee:

Temporary = £30
Permanent = £30
Shop Front Trading = £100

Can I sell other commodities/goods on my market stall?

No, you can only sell the commodities that are specified on your licence – all goods must be the same primary commodity.

We don’t license the sale of ‘fancy goods’, ‘novelties’, ‘bric-a-brac’ or ‘miscellaneous goods’ without a definite description, you must give full details of the specific items.

Can I sell second hand Items?

We don’t license the sale of second hand goods, but we do license the sale of ‘nearly new’ items.

What is the definition of a nearly new Item?

‘Nearly new’ goods are in a clean state with no obvious signs of wear and tear.

How can I change what I sell?

You need to make a request in writing to Hackney Markets and Street Trading to change your commodities.

You can call Hackney Service Centre on 0208 356 3000 who will log your request and pass it on to Markets and Street Trading. Alternatively you can write to info@hackney.gov.uk or Markets and Street Trading, 81 Downham Road, London N1 5TR.

Are market traders entitled to holidays?

Permanent traders can take up to one month’s holiday every year calculated on the financial year (1 April to 31 March of the following year). You need to apply in writing to Markets and Street Trading to receive holiday credits.

Casual or temporary traders are not entitled to holidays or sick leave.

As a permanent trader what is required if I am sick?

If you can’t trade because of illness, you’ll need to present a medical certificate to Markets and Street Trading. Medical certificates can only be accepted for four-week periods.

Can I trade on Bank Holidays and Sundays?

Our markets are closed on Bank Holidays and Sundays.

Can I transfer my street trading licence to a friend?

Permanent licences can only be transferred in the event of

death
retirement at normal retirement age
inability to trade due to ill-health

For this purpose you can only transfer a permanent licence to a relative such as a wife, daughter, stepdaughter, granddaughter, mother, grandmother, sister, half-sister, husband, son, grandson, stepson, father, grandfather, stepfather, brother or half-brother

Where can I get more information on market trading?

For more information on market trading, call Hackney Service Centre on 020 8356 3000. Customer services officers will be able to give you a variety of general information over the phone such as where our markets are located, opening and closing times, commodities sold and how to apply for a traing licence.

I want to make a complaint regarding Street Trading

To make a complaint about one of our markets, one of our traders or street trading in general, contact us on:

Phone: 020 8356 3367
Fax: 020 8356 6610
Write: Markets and Street Trading, 2 Hillman Street, London, E8 1FB
Email: info@hackney.gov.uk
Web: www.hackney.gov.uk/l-complain-how-to.htm

In the first instance the Head of Markets and Street Trading will do their best to resolve your complaint in line with the Council’s three-stage Complaints Process (153KB).

Page updated: 15 Jun 2010