Street Market Trading

Trading Guidelines for Casual Traders

What is a temporary licence?
What are the benefits of being a casual trader?
What are vacant pitches?
How do I know if there is a pitch available?
So how can I trade with a temporary licence?
As a casual trader, is there any way I can get first priorty for a pitch?
Can I occupy an empty pitch without the market inspector’s permission?
Are there circumstances where a temporary licence is not required?
Are political or religious organisations able to distribute literature and goods in markets?
Where can I get more information on market trading?
I want to make a complaint regarding Street Trading

What is a temporary licence?

With a temporary licence you can trade wherever there’s an available or vacant pitch on any of our markets. But it doesn’t guarantee a pitch – vacant pitches are allocated daily. Once you have your licence, each morning you need to go to the market where you’d like to trade with proof that you've paid your fees. From around 9am the market inspector allocates available pitches to casual traders for the day.

A temporary licence is valid for six months.

What are the benefits of being a casual trader?

You only have to pay when you use a pitch and you can move between markets. You will also be able to build up a trading pattern, a requirement of applying for a permanent licence and pitch.

What are vacant pitches?

Vacant pitches are ones that haven’t yet been licensed to a permanent trader or ones that become available because a permanent trader is not using their pitch for the day.

How do I know if there is a pitch available?

You can’t find out in advance whether a pitch is going to be vacant or not as availability changes all the time. We never know how many traders are going turn up to trade on a particular day in a particular market.

Only market inspectors can issue pitches – you’re not allowed to set up on an empty pitch without their permission.

So how can I trade with a temporary licence?

Simply turn up to the market where you want to trade no later than 9am. Make sure you have your temporary licence and have paid the fee for a pitch. Wait for the market inspector to allocate you a pitch. Then display your nameplate on the stall where it can easily be seen. You can only sell the commodity that is specified on your licence and you have to trade in person for 100% of the week.

As a casual trader, is there any way I can get first priorty for a pitch?

The market inspector decides on the day. Although priority will be given to casual traders who regularly support the market, especially in non-peak periods.

Can I occupy an empty pitch without the market inspector’s permission?

No, you are not allowed to set up on a vacant pitch without permission from the market inspector and you must make sure your nameplate can be easily seen.

Are there circumstances where a temporary licence is not required?

Yes, licences, both temporary and permanent are issued to individuals not organisations. If you are a commercial organisations or a charity you won’t be issued with a licence but you can be a given permission to trade for one day (only) if you want to sell items for a promotion or fundraising.

You’ll need to make a request in writing on your official headed paper, including details of your organisation and the promotion or fundraising you want to do. Send your letter to Markets and Street Trading, 81 Downham Road, London N1 5TR, allow at least five working days for a reply.

Are political or religious organisations able to distribute literature and goods in markets?

No, Markets and Street Trading doesn’t allow the distribution of leaflets, books, magazines, posters, badges, labels, pictures, films or any similar articles that refer to any political or religious groups.

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 link: 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