Huntingdonshire District Council invites you to take part in a public consultation on the proposed implementation of a new Street Trading Policy.
Unregulated street trading can present a number of challenges. Without proper consent, traders may operate without permission, raising health and safety concerns and making it harder for the Council to apply consistent standards.
This can feel unfair to those who follow the correct procedures and may discourage legitimate trade. In addition, local residents and businesses have occasionally raised concerns about noise, litter, congestion, and damage to public spaces. Without clear oversight, there is also a missed opportunity to develop vibrant, well-managed trading areas that bring value to both traders and the wider community.
To encourage a more inclusive and flexible approach to street trading, the draft policy includes several key proposals. These include trial periods giving new traders the opportunity to test the market before committing longer-term and various consent lengths, ranging from 1 day to 12 months.
The policy also proposes that consent may include a pavement licence allowance, with a built-in provision for a limited number of tables and chairs. This removes the need for a separate application and would be assessed individually, with any relevant local conditions attached to the consent.
Following implementation, a visually engaging information pack will be developed to promote the benefits of street trading. This brochure-style guide is intended to present the policy in a more creative and accessible way, making the process easier to understand and more inviting, particularly for those unfamiliar with formal policy documents.
The Licensing Team welcomes all feedback, positive or negative, on the draft policy [PDF, 0.3MB]. The consultation will remain open until 24th September 2025.
All comments received will be reviewed and presented, alongside the draft policy, to the Licensing and Protection Committee in October. Any comments can be emailed to licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
View Draft Street Trading Policy