Street trading policy

Applications

All applications will be considered on their individual merits taking into account all relevant matters.

Consents will not normally be granted where:

  • Enforcement action is pending or has previously been undertaken against the applicant.
  • The holder is currently in arrears with any charges.
  • The location is unsuitable.
  • The stall will be in proximity of a shop selling similar goods.
  • The activities are likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to neighbouring properties.
  • The applicant is unsuitable.
  • An applicant has failed to appropriately use previous consents.
  • The stall is unsuitable.
  • It causes or contributes to crime and disorder.

This list is not exhaustive.

Who can apply?

To apply for consent a person must be:

  • an individual or business
  • 17 years of age or over
  • legally entitled to live and work in the UK

Making an application

All applications must be made online through our website. The application must be completed in full with all the required information before it will be considered. If you are unable to apply online please call 01543 308725 to request a hard copy.

The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Public liability insurance certificate.
  • A description of the stall or a photograph if available.
  • Basic disclosure and barring service (DBS) check or access to the DBS update service for you or any assistants if requested by the licensing team.
  • Proof that the applicant, and any assistants are entitled to work in the UK if requested.

Once the application is complete and has been accepted, we will either:

  • grant the consent as applied for
  • grant the consent with conditions or a variation to the application
  • refuse the consent.

Where a consent is refused the council will notify the trader in writing detailing the reason for refusal.

Receipt of application and fees

An application will be treated as being received only when the relevant application and all the necessary supporting evidence has been received and the relevant fee has been paid.

The application must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Failure to follow the application process may result in the consent being refused or delayed.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications in plenty of time of the trading date to ensure that if there are any problems they can be rectified or discussed before they intend to trade.

Consultation

Before a street trading consent is granted the council may decide it is appropriate to consult with various people or groups. We will consider relevant representations.

The licensing team may consult the following people before issuing a consent:

  • Staffordshire Police
  • Highways Authority
  • Relevant services at Lichfield District Council e.g. food team, waste team etc.
  • Fire and Rescue Service.
  • Trading Standards
  • Any other person or body deemed necessary.

Information obtained from these people/ bodies will be considered during the application process and will help determine whether a consent should be granted.