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Conditions of Trading

Market Booking Arrangements - Update

We would like to thank you for your understanding and cooperation whilst we implement the new booking processes. We have listened to feedback from traders and worked with staff and contractors and we have been able to vary the booking deadlines to give traders longer to decide if to make a booking. 

With immediate effect for all markets can you please book your stall before 12noon, the day before each market

No bookings can be accepted after these deadlines as we will be moving to a system where only the stalls that are paid for will be set up.

Bookings are made by:

  1. Calling 01909 533533 and asking for licensing to make the booking over the phone. For a booking to be confirmed payment will need to be taken via a card payment. Please have a credit or debit card available when making a booking call. 
  2. We are in the process of finalising the electronic Trader Registration form, in the interim, you can request a form via email.
  3. To make a booking the team will need to confirm you have completed the Market Trader Registration Form and provided a copy of your current public liability insurance certificate (for £5million). These can be emailed to licensing@bassetlaw.gov.uk 
  4. You will receive a confirmation of payment email which will also confirm your pitch and the dates to which the booking relates.

If you stand more than one market day or both Worksop and Retford markets, you can book for each market on the one call, and we are happy to take advanced bookings (for a number of weeks/months) to secure your pitch preference.

If you make a long-term booking but due to unforeseen circumstances can no longer attend, as long as you contact the Licensing Department before the deadlines (specified above) you can cancel your attendance and the fee you have paid can be rolled over to another date.

On this page: 

Introduction

The following applies to ALL Casual Traders.

Attendance at the Market, as a Casual Trader, is deemed to be subject to acceptance of these conditions. 

Licence holders will be subject to Licence Conditions that shall be issued at the point of granting a licence. 

Definitions

  • “Council” means Bassetlaw District Council and its authorised officers.
  • “Market” means any market operated or managed by the Council.
  • “Trader” means any individual or business trading at the Market, including Casual Traders and Licensed Traders.
  • “Stall/Pitch” means the allocated trading space provided or approved by the Council.
  • “Goods” means any items, products, commodities, or services offered for sale, promotion, or display.
  • “Market Officer” means any employee or agent of the Council responsible for market operations.

Conditions of Entry

Attendance at the Market constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.

Traders must comply with all directions given by Market Officers.

The Council may refuse or withdraw permission to trade where a Trader breaches these Terms.

Traders must complete a Registration Form and provide all required documentation before trading.

Documentation Requirements

Public Liability Insurance

  • Minimum cover: £5,000,000 (£5 million)
  • Must be valid at all times while trading.
  • Proof must be supplied before booking.

Right to Work

  • Traders are responsible for ensuring all staff have the legal right to work in the UK.
  • Evidence must be provided upon request.

Identification and Address

  • Two forms of ID required (one must be photographic).

Food Traders

  • Must hold a Food Hygiene Rating of 3 stars or above.
  • Must be registered with their home Local Authority.
  • Must comply with all food safety legislation, including allergen requirements (Natasha’s Law).

Product Safety

Traders must ensure all products comply with UK law, including:

  • UKCA / CE regulations
  • Electrical equipment safety
  • Toy safety standards
  • Cosmetics compliance
  • Age restricted goods rules

The Council may request compliance documents at any time.

Stall Allocation and Use

Stalls and Pitches are allocated solely by the Council.

The Council may change pitch location at any time for operational or safety reasons.

Traders must confine all Goods, displays and equipment within their allocated pitch.

Subletting, transferring, or sharing a pitch is prohibited without written approval.

Trading Hours and Vehicle Movement

Worksop Outdoor Market

  • Trading: 8:30am to 4:00pm
  • Vehicles removed by 8:30am, return after 4:00pm

Retford Outdoor Market

  • Trading: 9:00am – 3:30pm
  • Vehicles removed by 9:00am (9:30am Fridays)
  • Vehicles return after 3:30pm (3:00pm Fridays)

Priory Centre Indoor Market

  • Trading: 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Access permitted 8:00am – 6:00pm

Vehicles must not obstruct emergency routes, stalls, or public walkways.

Engines must not be left idling.

Health and Safety Requirements

Traders must comply with all relevant health & safety legislation.

Traders must conduct their own Risk Assessment and produce this upon request.

Equipment and fixtures must be safe, stable and suitable for outdoor use.

Gazebos and free standing structures must be adequately weighted (minimum 10–15kg per leg recommended).

Electrical Safety:

  • All electrical items must be PAT tested.
  • No overloading sockets or using unsafe cables.
  • No connection to Council electricity without authorisation.

Gas Safety (LPG):

  • Gas equipment must be certified by a Gas Safe engineer.
  • Cylinders must be secured and stored safely.
  • Spare cylinders may not be kept on site.

Fire Safety:

  • Food traders must hold appropriate fire extinguishers.
  • Open flames require prior written approval.

Any hazardous Goods are prohibited unless agreed by the Council.

Waste Management and Cleanliness

Traders must keep their pitch and nearby area clean, tidy, and hazard free.

All waste must be disposed of in Council approved bins or securely bagged.

Waste must not be left behind; abandonment may result in charges or enforcement action.

Oil, grease, liquids or contaminants must not be allowed to enter the drainage or on public surfaces (e.g. footpaths).

Conduct and Behaviour

Traders must only sell the Goods approved on their Trader Registration Form or under other the written approval of the Council

The Council reserves the right to prohibit the sale of Goods that are:

  • Unsafe or non compliant
  • Offensive or inflammatory
  • Counterfeit
  • Illegal or age restricted

Traders may be required to provide evidence of authenticity.

Fees and Payments

All fees must be paid in advance.

Failure to pay may result in refusal of entry or removal from the Market.

Refunds are not available for non attendance.

Market Cancellations

The Council may cancel or close a Market due to weather conditions, emergencies, or safety concerns.

If cancelled before 9:00am, no fees are charged.

If cancelled between 9:00am–12:00pm, half fees apply.

After 12:00pm, full fees apply.

Traders leaving early due to adverse weather will not be refunded.

Abandoned Property

Goods left behind may be treated as abandoned and disposed of at the Trader’s cost.

The Council accepts no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Disciplinary Procedure

Breaches of these Terms and Condition may result in:

  • Verbal warning
  • Written warning
  • Suspension
  • Removal from all Markets

Serious breaches may result in immediate removal without warning.

Appeals

Traders may appeal a disciplinary decision within 10 working days.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Councils Licensing Department.

Liability and Indemnity

The Council accepts no liability for:

  • Loss, theft, or damage to Goods
  • Loss of earnings
  • Weather‑related damage
  • Business interruption

Traders indemnify the Council against claims relating to their trading activities.

Data Protection

The Council will process Trader data in accordance with GDPR and its Privacy Policy.

Data may be shared with other authorities for fraud prevention or legal compliance.

Traders must keep their contact details up to date.

Emergency Procedures

Traders must follow all instructions given during an emergency or evacuation.

Hazardous incidents must be reported immediately to a Market Officer.

Variation of Terms

The Council may amend these Terms at any time and will notify Traders of significant changes.

Last Updated on Tuesday, February 10, 2026