Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire

Apply for a street trading consent

What is a street trading consent?

A street trading consent is permission from us for you to trade in the street.

Before applying, we recommend you read the Street Trading Information Guide and Terms and Conditions in the resources box below.

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What areas does street trading consent cover?

A 'street' for street trading purposes is defined legally as 'any road, beach, footway or other area that the public have access to without payment.' In practice, this means that a variety of different areas may be construed as a street, depending on its characteristics. Please contact us if you need advice regarding this. Trading in a 'street' without the appropriate permission may constitute a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £1000 in the case of a conviction.

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How do I apply for a street trading consent?

Please see the process flow diagram and street trading application form in the resources box below.

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What information do I need to provide with my street trading consent application?

The application form contains the details of what you need to provide and it includes requests for information about:

  • Precise proposed trading location
  • A photograph of the exterior and interior of the trading unit/stall
  • Exterior and interior measurements: height, width and length
  • Proposed days and times of trading

You will also need to provide two passport photographs for proof of identification and a copy of a recent utility bill for proof of address.

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How long does it take to process my street trading consent application?

The Street Trading Panel, who meet approximately every 6 weeks, approve or reject consent applications. The Panel consists of senior representatives from the council including Legal Services, Highways, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Markets and Fairs, and Community Regeneration.

On receipt of an application it usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks for it to be fully processed and a final decision sent out to you.

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How much does a street trading consent cost?

If the Street Trading Panel approves your application, we will notify you of the fee for the consent.

We calculate the fee on an individual basis. Factors taken into account may include:

  • Number of potential customers
  • Location
  • Proximity of competition
  • Range of products on offer

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How long does the consent last?

Consents are renewed on an annual basis, at the end of March each year. However, some consents are for shorter periods such as those which operate on a seasonal basis.

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Resources
 
Herefordshire Council, Brockington, Hereford. HR1 1SH | Tel: (01432) 260000 | info@herefordshire.gov.uk