Street Trading

The following activities will not require consent as they are exempt under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982:

• A pedlar trading under the authority of a pedlar’s certificate granted under the Pedlar’s Act 1871

• Anything done in a market or fair, the right to hold which was acquired by virtue of a grant, enactment or order

• Trading in a trunk road picnic area provided by the Secretary of State under section 112 of the Highways Act 1980

• Trading as a news vendor

• Trading carried on at a premises used as a petrol station

• Trading carried on at premises used as a shop or in a street adjoining a shop where the trading carried on is part of the business of the shop

• Selling things, or offering or exposing them for sale as a roundsman. 

Street trading that occurs on private land will normally not require consent, but you must still obtain the landowner's permission.

If the street trading occurs on private land on the edge of the public road and sales are being made to pedestrians on the public highway, you will need consent to trade. You must also be able to provide landowner consent.

Street trading consent will not be required for the following activities:

• Trading in a market run by Huntingdonshire District Council or any town/parish council

• Trading at a fete, carnival, or similar community-based and run events, such as Christmas Light Switch-on or firework display events

• Non-commercial, community or charitable events where the profits are not used for private gain or are wholly passed to a charity or political/educational organisation

• Trading as part of a travelling fair, where permission for the event has already been granted by Huntingdonshire District Council. 

An application may be submitted by any individual or business representative who is at least 17 years of age and is legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom.

To be considered valid, the application form must be submitted alongside all required supporting documentation:

• A non-refundable application fee (based on the cost of administering the application)

• Photographic identification (for example: passport, photo card, driving licence)

• A site plan of the proposed trading area

• Photographs of the trailer, stall, or vehicle proposed for use

• The make and model of any generator to be used (if applicable)

• Gas certificate (if applicable)

• Public Liability Insurance certificate cover for £5,000,000

• Current MOT certificate (if using a vehicle)

• Appropriate current business use motor insurance (if using a vehicle)

• Proof that the applicant and any assistants are entitled to work in the UK

• Proof of food business registration and hygiene rating (if applicable).

Once a complete application is submitted, including all required documents and the application fee, a licensing officer will conduct a site assessment to determine whether the proposed location and trading unit are suitable for static trading.

For mobile trading applications, the assessment will focus on determining the suitability of the trading unit.

The site assessment will take the following factors into account when determining the suitability of a proposed location for static street trading:

• Potential risks to public safety, including obstructions or unhygienic conditions, potential for public disorder

• Risk of public nuisance, such as noise, odour, litter or similar issues

• Impact on the safe movement of pedestrians, including wheelchair users

• Whether planning permission is required for the proposed location

• Proximity to places of worship, educational institutions, healthcare facilities or places of cultural or historical significance

• Proximity to residential properties

• Proximity to other businesses, particularly where there may be obstruction, reduced visibility, or concerns around competition. 

The following factors will be considered when assessing the suitability of the trading unit:

• The overall appearance and design, including height, width, colour, signage, stock layout, trading area, canopies and lighting

• The visual and physical impact on the character of the surrounding area

• The type and prominence of advertisements, including any illuminated signage and environmental impact, such as noise, emissions or disruption caused by generators or other equipment.

The types of goods allowed to be sold will be considered on an individual basis and will be specified on the consent.  

Once an officer has completed a site and/or unit assessment and determined that the goods proposed for sale are appropriate, the application will proceed to the consultation stage. The consultation period will last for 28 days.

After the consultation period ends, the application will be either:

• approved with standard conditions

• approved with additional specific conditions and/or with changes to the original application or

• refused.

All applicants are encouraged to apply for new or renewal consent at least 8 weeks before the date they intend to start trading or before their existing consent expires.

Renewal applications must meet the same documentation requirements as new applications. However, the need for an additional site and/or unit assessment will be determined by an officer on a case-by-case basis.

A new assessment is likely to be required if there have been significant changes to the site, the surrounding area or the trading unit itself.  Where a new assessment is required, the application will be subject to a 14-day consultation.

The link below will take you to the HDC Licensing Portal, where you must register your details. Once registered, you will be able to submit your application as well as pay the application fee. The portal will also allow you to view any updates to your application.

Go to application portal

View the Street Trading Policy [PDF, 0.3MB].