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Street collections and trading

Street trading

You need to apply to us for this licence if you want to trade in the street. A street is legally defined as:

  • a road 
  • a footway  
  • a beach 
  • any other area the public access without payment 

North Somerset Council does not have set pitches or sites.  It is up to each applicant to identify the site at which they would like to trade and apply accordingly. 

Permissions

Please note:

  • if the site is on private land you will need to obtain written permission from the landowner to include with your application
  • If the site is on North Somerset owned and managed land (not adopted highway) you will need permission to occupy the land and provide a copy with your application

Whilst there are no prohibited streets in North Somerset, permission will not normally be granted for trading on any of the district promenades or beach areas. 

Enquiries around this area should be directed to the Seafront Office. They can be contacted via email at seafront.office@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Please note, street trading is also required on private land if the public have access without payment.

Fees

Applications are split into categories with a tiered set of fees. These include: 

  • standard pitches – lay-bys, commercial trading estates, long term pitches. 
  • one off event pitches – commercial traders within one off organised events. A block consent will be required direct from an organiser with 5 or more pitches.  
  • regular/returning event pitches - commercial traders within organised regular/returning events. Annual permits are available for 2 - 52 events per year. 
  • farmers/producers markets – set discounted rate for those with local produce from within 30 miles of the trading site. 
  • craft markets/street fairs – set discounted rate for events such as school fairs, fetes, local Christmas events etc. 
  • NSC concession holders – formally tendered concession agreements with North Somerset Council where holder requires occasional additional units. 

Fees and charges

How to apply

Please read our guidance notes and statement of principles before applying.

Pre-application service

We offer a “pre-application” service.  For a fee we can help with completion of the forms, advice on what to include, and what to consider before you apply.  

Applications can be submitted online on the GOV.UK website. 

Supporting documents

Please include the following supporting documents: 

  • map of the proposed trading site (new applications only) 
  • colour photo of the trading unit(s) (new applications only) 
  • copy of public liability insurance (£5m) 
  • copy of commercial waste transfer agreement 
  • written permission of landowner (private land only) 
  • copies of food handlers qualifications/training (where food is sold) – this should be a current Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering from an accredited training provider
  • proof that the trader is registered as a food business with the relevant local authority (where food is sold)

Please note, use of our pre-application service does not guarantee that the application will be granted. 

There may still be objections from the statutory agencies or interested parties. In this case the matter will be referred to the Licensing Committee who will determine the application. 

apply for a licence on the GOV.UK website

After you've applied

Before a street trading application is granted, we will carry out a formal consultation process. 

Consultees will include the following: 

  • The Highways Authority
  • Avon & Somerset Police 
  • Avon Fire and Rescue 
  • Food/Health & Safety team
  • Environmental Protection team
  • ward councillors 
  • the appropriate parish or ward council 
  • representatives of any town centre partnerships or Business Improvement Districts for the area of proposed trading 

The consultation period for applications will be dependent on the duration of the permission. Consultation will start once all the asupporting documents have been received. 

Licence duration (in days)consultation period (in days)
1-67
7-1414
15+28

Duration of the licence

Street trading consents or licences will be issued for a maximum period of 12 months. Annual consents or licences issued will be renewable on the anniversary of the original issue date.  

Shorter term Consents or Licences may be issued on a weekly basis.  

licensing team

Licensing, Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ

01934 426 800
licensing@n-somerset.gov.uk