Street Trading

Street Trading Consents

Bassetlaw District Council's Street Trading Policy aims to manage street trading to enhance local culture and economy while ensuring public safety and preventing nuisance. This policy applies to anyone selling or offering for sale any article on the streets or public open areas within the district where the public has access without payment.

If you require further information, or to request the applications forms, email licensing@bassetlaw.gov.uk

What is Covered by the Policy?

The policy covers "Street Trading," which includes selling or offering for sale of any article, whether food, non-food, or a living thing, with or without a stall, from any road, footway, highway, or other adjacent public access areas. It applies whether the trader operates in one place or moves from place to place.

Types of Consents: Bassetlaw District Council issues four main types of Street Trading Consents, they are:

Street Trading Consent: For trading from a stall / unit / vehicle from a single designated location on a regular basis.
Mobile Trading Consent: For trading from a vehicle at various locations across the Bassetlaw District. Traders must continually move from location to location, not wait in one location for more than 20 minutes, move at least 50 meters from the last trading location, and not return to the same trading location within 4 hours. They also cannot trade within 100 metres of any entrance to any educational establishment without formal invitation. Ice cream vans and mobile sandwich sellers would typically be deemed mobile street traders.
Community & Charity Trading Consent: For trading at non-profit making events (within the Bassetlaw District) held by a registered charity or community association, whether for a single day or for the duration of the entire event.
Special Events Trading Consent: For trading at events (within the Bassetlaw District) where the organiser intends to make commercial gain, whether for a single day or for the duration of the entire event. These are events such as Car Boot Sales, Fêtes, Carnivals and similar Community Events.

Exemptions: Certain activities do not require a Street Trading Consent, including:

Trading as a Pedlar under the authority of a Pedlar's Certificate granted under the Pedlars Act 1871.
Any trade in a market or fair, the right to hold which having been obtained by a grant, enactment or order. This includes trading which occurs at a market operated by Bassetlaw District Council where a street trading consent is not
Trading as a News Vendor (Section 3 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982).
Trading at premises used as a petrol filling station or from a street adjoining a shop premises as part of the business of the shop.
Offering or selling things as a Roundsman (i.e. delivering pre-ordered goods to customers).
Trading in a trunk picnic road area provided by the Secretary of State under Section 112 of the Highways Act 1980.
The use for trading under Part VIIA of the Highways Act 1980 of an object or structure placed on, in or over a highway.
The operation of facilities for recreation or refreshment under Part VIIA of the Highways Act 1980.
The doing of anything authorised by regulations made under Section 5 of the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 for charitable purposes.

How to Apply for a Street Trading Consent

All streets within Bassetlaw are designated as 'Consent Streets', meaning you need council consent to trade. The full policy includes a list of ‘Prohibited Streets’ at Appendix 2 where Street Trading activities cannot be carried out.

New Applications for Street Trading Consent (Fixed Pitch):

To apply, you must submit a completed and signed application form along with:

The full application fee as appropriate.
Proof of address (Original bank statements or utility bills).
Where the proposed street activity is from a fixed position, a copy of a map of at least 1:1250 scale, clearly identifying the proposed site position by marking the site boundary with a red line.
A certificate of Public Liability Insurance that covers the Street Trading activity for third party and public liability risks, with a minimum insurance cover of £5,000,000.
A current Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering certificate for all food handlers (if applicable).
A licensed waste carrier agreement or, original proof of a contract set up with a trade waste collection contractor.
Current Electrical and Gas Safety Certificates (if applicable).
Evidence that the applicant and any person(s) operating the stall / vehicle / unit holds a valid right to work in the U.K.
Evidence of consent given by the landowner for the business to trade from the location (private land only).
Evidence that Planning Permission has been granted, or is not required.
Colour photographs of the stall / vehicle / unit from which trading is to take place (the photographs must clearly show the internal and external visual condition of the unit and all signage affixed to it).
Copy of the A4 Yellow Notice placed at the proposed trading site.
A Basic Criminal Background Check. On application the check will not be accepted if it is submitted later than three months from the date of issue of the check. This will need to be completed upon application every three years.

Once a new completed application form and all other necessary documents, along with payment of the application fee, are received, a 28-day consultation period will begin. If no valid objections are received during this period, or if any concerns are resolved, a Street Trading Consent will be issued for a maximum of 12 months or a minimum of 6 months (if requested by the applicant). However, if valid objections remain unresolved by the end of the 28-day consultation period, or if the applicant or an employee has criminal conviction(s), the application will be referred to a Licensing Sub-Committee for determination. This Sub-Committee will use the policy to guide their decision and will notify the applicant (and any objectors) of their decision and reasons within 10 working days of the hearing. There is no statutory right of appeal against a refusal to issue a Street Trading Consent, but an aggrieved person may apply to the High Court for judicial review.

Mobile Trading Consent Applications

All applications for the grant or renewal of a new Mobile Trading Consent shall include the following:

A completed Mobile Trading Consent Application Form.
Food Hygiene Certificate (if applicable).
Current Electrical and Gas Safety Certificates (if applicable).
Current Public Liability Insurance (to a minimum value of £5,000,000).
Evidence that the applicant and any person(s) operating the vehicle holds a valid right to work in the U.K.
Photographs of the vehicle from which trading is to take place (the photographs must clearly show the internal and external visual condition of the vehicle and all signage affixed to it).
Evidence that the vehicle may legally be driven on the highway by way of a valid M.O.T., valid Motor Insurance and valid Vehicle Excise Duty.
A Basic Criminal Background Check. On application the check will not be accepted if it is submitted later than three months from the date of issue of the check. This will need to be completed upon application every three years.

Charitable & Community Event Trading Consent Application Procedure

The application must be made by the Event Organiser. The following will be required to be submitted with the application:

A completed and signed Street Charitable & Community Event Trading Consent Application Form.
The full application fee as appropriate.
Where the proposed street activity is from a fixed position, a copy of a map of at least 1:1250 scale. The map should clearly identify the proposed site position by marking the site boundary with a red line.
A certificate of Public Liability Insurance that covers the Street Trading activity for third party and public liability risks. The minimum insurance cover shall be £5,000,000.
A current Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering certificate for all food handlers (if applicable).
Current Electrical and Gas Safety Certificates (if applicable).
Details of each Trader and the goods being sold from each stall / vehicle / unit will be provided within the application.
Evidence to show that the event is "not for profit" and that the Traders are making a financial contribution from any profits they make to the community and / or charity for which the event is held.

Special Events Trading Consents Application Procedure

The event organiser will notify the Licensing Team of the intended event. The application will need to be submitted at least 8 weeks before the event or it will be rejected. The application shall only be submitted by the event organiser and will include:

Details of each Trader.
Details of the goods being sold from each stall / vehicle / unit.
The full fee.
The documents specified in paragraphs 20 of the policy (which generally include evidence of valid Food Hygiene Certificate, Electrical and Gas Safety Certificates, Public Liability Insurance, and valid right to work in the U.K. for traders).
If any stall / vehicle / unit at the event sells alcohol, or provides hot food and / or hot beverages after 11.00 p.m. the Licensing Team will advise the event organiser that a Temporary Event Notice granted in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 will be required.
Events where the anticipated attendance is more than 1500 people will have to submit a full event plan with their application.

Enforcement

The Council conducts spot checks by Authorised Officers of the Council at any time. Failure to comply with legislative requirements or the conditions of the consent can lead to prosecution. The Council has the right to revoke a Consent or Permit at any time. If the holder fails to comply with the relevant conditions of the Licence/Consent, then this could render it invalid and further trading may result in prosecution. Serious issues, such as those related to public order or threat to public safety, may involve assistance from Nottinghamshire Police. The Council will enforce the provisions of all appropriate legislation and will ask persons causing a nuisance to cease the activity. If the person refuses, or persistently returns to trade, the Council will seek to use legal powers, including prosecutions and applications for a civil injunction.

Last Updated on Friday, July 25, 2025