Street trading

Street trading is defined as the selling or offering for sale of any article in the street.Traders who use the public highway to sell goods or services must have a street trading licence to carry out trade from a designated site/pitch and display of goods in front of a shop.

You do not need a street trading licence if you are:

trading as a peddler under licence issued by a Police authority
a market trader operating at a licensed market venue
a news vendor selling only newspapers and periodicals

If you are trading on private land you may not need a consent. To confirm the situation you are advised to telephone: (020) 8825 8347.

Unlicensed street trading on the public highway is illegal. This includes:

individuals/groups selling vehicles from the public highway (eg advertisements on a vehicle window)
'non-itinerant' ice cream selling (eg an ice cream van that remains in the same location for a considerable period of time or trades from prohibited streets which are Uxbridge Roads, High Streets, W5)
'pitching up' of a stall on public highway without a street trading licence

The council enforces illegal street trading across the borough and has the authority to refuse or revoke licenses under the London Local Authorities Act 1990 (as amended).

Reporting illegal street trading

Report an illegal street trader online
Telephone (020) 8825 8347
Email: street-trading@ealing.gov.uk

A licence will not be granted where there is a risk to pedestrian safety or possibility of a nuisance being created.

The council may revoke a street trading licence after it has been granted because of non-compliance with the conditions, non-payment or because of any change in circumstances in a street since the grant or renewal of a licence eg there is not enough space in the street.

Designated sites
The council has decided that its existing designated sites are sufficient and no new sites will be licensed. There is a waiting list (word) for site vacancies. If a site becomes vacant, it is offered to the first person in the waiting list.

Charges
The administrative fee for a licence is £30, which will be refunded if the application is refused. There are different weekly charges (word) depending on the type of licence and number of days in use.

Applying for a licence
You will need to complete the relevant application form and submit two passport size photographs taken within the last 12 months of the manager of the shop and signed on the reverse by the applicant. These should be submitted with the administration fee.

Application forms (word):
Street trading advice notes (to be used in conjunction with all application forms)
In front of shop and guidance
Designated site and guidance
Waiting list for designated sites

Contact street trading:
Tel: (020) 8825 8347 or email: street-trading@ealing.gov.uk
Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm.