Street Trading

Street trading is the selling, or offering for sale, of goods or services in a street.

If you want to trade in a street within Cheshire East, you may need a street trading consent. Some traders are exempt, including market traders and newspaper vendors.

Before applying, check whether a street trading consent is required for your business.

Apply for street trading consent

You can apply and pay for street trading consent online on GOV.UK. Alternatively you can download an application form for a Street Trading consent (MS Word, 117KB) and post it to the Licensing Team.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to provide: 

• a completed application form
• a map clearly showing the location you wish to trade at or if applying for roaming consent a list of locations you wish to trade at
• the correct application fee
• a copy of your public liability insurance certificate
• permission from the landowner, if you intend to trade on private land

Street trading application fees

Gambling Application Fees for Gaming Permits. All prices in Pounds Sterling.

Consent period	Fee
12 months	£430
6 months	£285
3 months	£220
1 month	£170
1 week	£115
1 day	£57

 

You can pay by debit or credit card by calling 0300 123 5015. Alternatively, you can send a cheque payable to Cheshire East Council.

How we assess your application

Certain streets in the Cheshire East are designated as consent streets or prohibited streets.

• Prohibited streets: street trading in nor permitted.
• Consent Streets: you most get a street trading consent before trading.

View street designations in Cheshire East 

Your application will only be considered complete once we have received all the required documents and information.

Once we have received everything we need, we will consult relevant partners and aim to make a decision within one month.

Trading on private land

A street trading consent does not give you permission to use land owned or managed by someone else.

If your application is approved, you must still obtain permission from the relevant landowner or manager before trading. This applies to private land and locations such as parks, lakes, green spaces and other areas that are not public highways maintained by Cheshire East Council.

If you are considering trading on private land, you may not need a street trading consent. Contact the Licensing Team to discuss your circumstances.

The landowner may also need planning permission. You are advised to contact the Planning Team for advice.

If you would like to operate from one of our parks, see Doing business with Cheshire East Council.

Who can apply

To hold a street trading consent, you must:

• be aged 17 or over
• have public liability insurance
• be registered as a food business with your local Environmental Health authority if you sell food

When we may refuse an application

We may refuse an application if:

• there is not enough space at the proposed location without causing inconvenience or obstruction to other street users
• you propose to trade for fewer days than any minimum trading period that applies
• you are considered unsuitable to hold a consent due to previous convictions or other relevant reasons
• you have previously failed to pay fees due under a street trading consent or have failed to use a previous consent

Street trading conditions and policy

When a consent is granted, it is subject to the street trading conditions (PDF, 124KB)

Additional conditions may also be applied where they are considered necessary for a particular consent.

You can also read the Street Trading Policy (PDF, 198KB)

Legislation

Street trading is regulated under Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982