Street traders

What is street trading, do you need a licence to sell goods in the street? How to apply and pay for street trading consent, how to renew a consent, when is consent not required to street trade and who regulates street traders.

What is street trading?

Street trading means the selling, exposing or offering for sale any article/goods (including a living thing) in a street, a street includes any outside area incorporating

  • any road, lay-by, footway, beach or
  • garden areas, forecourts and car parks to which the public have clear unobstructed access without payment.

All of the above include land which is privately owned too.

If you wish to sell goods in any area specified above within the East Riding of Yorkshire a consent will be required before you can trade.

There are certain areas within the East Riding of Yorkshire that street trading is not permitted, and no consent would be issued for. For full details see 'Where can I trade from?'

It is an offence under Schedule 4, paragraph 10 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. If a trader was prosecuted for trading without consent in place they could face a fine of up to £1000 for each time they are caught trading unlawfully.

Where can I trade from?

The following streets and lay-bys are designated as prohibited streets within the East Riding and therefore no consents to trade will be issued for these.

A full list of all consents currently in force can be viewed on the document below:

The licensing team would not look to issue consents where the provision in that area are already met.

It is an offence under Schedule 4, paragraph 10 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. If a trader was prosecuted for trading without consent in place they could face a fine of up to £1000 for each time they are caught trading unlawfully.

A full list of prohibited streets and lay-bys can be viewed on the document below:

Transfers

A street trading consent cannot be transferred or sold to another person. The sub-letting of a pitch is prohibited.

You cannot trade until the consent has been issued. It is an offence to do so.

For more information on how the licensing authority enforces and regulates street trading please visit 'Who regulates and enforces street trading?'

A tacit consent does not apply to this application, meaning that your application will not be automatically granted after a specified period of time. Each application must be considered on its own merit.

Do I need a consent for a cake stall or similar on my own property?

In general, street trading consent would be required where goods are sold on a regular basis from land that is accessible to the public or where the activity can be readily approached or observed from the highway. This can include private land, such as a driveway, if members of the public are able to access it freely to make purchases.

Occasional sales (for example, one-off events or infrequent private sales) may not require consent, but regular or ongoing trading is more likely to be considered street trading and therefore require permission from the council.

Whether consent is required will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • how often the trading takes place
  • the amount of goods being offering for sale
  • the range and nature of goods being sold
  • whether the general public are invited onto the property to purchase goods
  • whether the activity is visible or promoted to passing members of the public
  • the method of sale, for example honesty box arrangements, self-service facilities or card payment systems
  • the intention behind the sales, including whether goods are produced specifically for commercial sale or represent surplus produce such as eggs, fruit or vegetables from a domestic property
  • whether the goods are pre-ordered.

If you intend to sell goods on a regular basis, we would recommend contacting us, via email, with further details of the proposed activity, so we can provide more specific advice.

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

What supporting documents are required to make a valid application?

For all application (excluding daily and special events consents) the following supporting documents are required to make a valid application:

  • A site plan of the proposed locations/showing where the unit would be located
  • x2 photographs of the unit to be licensed
  • Basic criminal record check (less than 6 weeks old) for the applicants and any staff proposed to work the unit
  • Public liability insurance (minimum of 2 million covering third and public liability risks)
  • Proof of right to work in the UK
  • A certified passport photograph of all parties to work in the unit (an additional charge of £65 is payable for each badge above the applicants)
  • Written proof of landowners permission (if applicable)
  • For food vendors - a level 2 food hygiene qualification and confirmation of a food hygiene rating of 3 stars or above.

For special event consents the following supporting documentation is required to make a valid application:

  • The written permission of the landowner (for land, not highway)
  • Location plan and list of all stalls at the event and articles been sold
  • Public liability insurance (minimum of £2 million covering third party and public liability risks).

Who regulates and enforces street traders?

The licensing team issue and enforce all consents for street trading including the investigation and prosecution of street traders without consents.

If you wish to report a street trader that you think may be trading without consent, you can email us:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Please provide as much information as possible when lodging concerns, to allow the matter to be investigated.

All consents issued are subject to conditions which have to be adhered to at all times.

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