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Do I Need a License To Operate on Private Land?

by kelly
(worcester)

Hello, I want to know if we can trade with our mobile catering van on a privately owned car park or do we need a license?

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Feb 02, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Selling Soft Drinks and Crisps at a Bootsale
by: David-

Selling Soft Drinks and Crisps at a Bootsale

Usually, if you’re just selling soft drinks and crisps at a one-off or occasional event like a bootsale, you don’t need a special licence. These items are considered low-risk, and many councils treat them as "non-prepacked" or "non-perishable" snacks. However, it's always best to check with your local authority because rules can differ from one area to another.

Setting Up Your Food Trailer on a Golf Course

Since you already have the owner’s consent for your food truck to be parked on the golf course, you’re off to a good start. Here are some of the key documents and considerations you’ll need:

Food Hygiene Certificate

This proves you know how to handle food safely. Most councils require it to make sure food sold is safe to eat.

Risk Assessments and Health & Safety Plans

These documents help show you’ve thought about and planned for any potential problems, like fire or accidents. It’s also important for ensuring your customers’ safety.

Public Liability Insurance

This is essential. It protects you if someone gets hurt or if something goes wrong while you’re trading.

Planning or Street Trading Licence

Although you mentioned that your trailer is parked away from the road and that you might not need a full Street Trading Licence, some councils still ask for additional permissions or a change of use on private land. This is because they want to make sure everything is officially allowed on that site. It sounds like other traders nearby might not have these extra documents, but rules can vary a lot from one place to another. If the local Parish Council says it’s not necessary, that’s a good sign, but always double-check with the local planning or trading department.

Contract or Permission from the Landowner

It’s great you have a contract from the landowner. Keep it safe and handy, as it shows you have official permission to be there.

Dealing with the Council

Sometimes councils seem like they’re asking for extra paperwork just to get a bit more money, but they really have to follow rules set out by local and national guidelines. If you already have permission from the landowner and all your food safety documents are in order, politely asking for a clear explanation of what’s needed can help. If things still feel confusing or unfair, you might consider asking for a review or speaking with someone higher up in the local council.

In short, selling soft drinks and crisps at a bootsale is usually licence-free, and with your food trailer, the key is having proper food safety training, insurance, and clear permission from the landowner. When in doubt, a quick call or visit to your local council office can clear up any lingering questions.

Good luck with your business, and I hope everything goes smoothly on the golf course!
Mar 26, 2024
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starstarstarstarstar 		Selling soft drinks
by: Anonymous

Can I sell soft drinks and crisps at a bootsale without a licence
Feb 14, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		Food truck
by: Anonymous

Hi, Iv got a food truck that I’m going to put on a golf course with the owner consent.

What I’d documents do I need to open my food trailer
Jun 15, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		PP on private land
by: Mazza

My local council has lead me a merry dance telling me I need pp to park on local car parks ! I have permission from the owner of the recent one and it is a distance from the road so I don't need a Street Trading License. I will be taking the trailer home every day but they still want the land owner to agree to change of use for part of the car park for me to park on ! ! ! My local Parish Council told me they have looked into it and it's 'rubbish'. There are other food units which park on other car parks locally and they do not have pp ! ! So I am about to set up and start trading once I have the Contract from the land owner - after all, what would the local council do - come and tow me away even though I have permission and a Contract ??? The council just want my money ! ! !
Jul 04, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catering van on owned land
by: Anonymous

Would I need planning permission for a catering van on my own land or do I just need to let the council know by registering the business? Also if I were to decide to go for an old van that wasn't fit for the road just used for a stationary shop more so would that also be allowed? Is there rules about having to be able to move the vehicle after an amount of Days? Thanks
Jul 12, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		catering van
by: Anonymous

hello I just want to know if I need a sreet trading license to trade on private property its on the land permanent I have just had to pay 700 pounds to council couse they say I need one
May 17, 2018
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starstarstar 		Trade Private Land
by: Bob

Any land has planning permission for its usage for example residential usage, A3 restaurant usage and so on.you cant trade from private land unless its been designated for that purpose.
Sep 22, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		confused
by: martin

Hi I have got all my burger van insurance and public liability insurance etc do I need to have a traders licence to trade off private land
Jun 15, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bolton to trade off private land? Surely this can't be informed as not on council tended property.
by: Phil

Why do I need a street traders licence in Bolton to trade out of my catering van on private land? Surely this can't be inforced as will not be on council tended property.
Dec 16, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Trading
by: Steve

Hi all David don't know what he's on about your need a stl to trade from private land from Worcester Phone up wrs
May 12, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Selling on private land
by: Anonymous

Can I sell flowers in my front garden without planning permission but with landlord's permission?
Jan 15, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steet Trading - Private Land
by: David

Hello there,

The local council can suggest that you pay for STL if you are trading on private land. A street trading license is exactly for trading on the street, but each council has a different approach. However I found this under street trading exemption on a council website.

Exemptions

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

trading on private land you may not need a consent. To confirm the situation you are advised to contact us. The landowner may need planning permission and you are advised to contact the Council's Planning office.

You may also want to visit the link below and see if there is any reference made to street Trading being extended to Private Land

Commercial street trading is regulated under schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

Let me know how you get on, but my advice is to always check with your local council, to get up to date advice.

Best,
David
Jan 15, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Street Trading Licences
by: Anonymous

Many councils seem to be demanding STL's even if an MCU is operating on private property such as a diy stores car park. Can they do this?

I appreciate a requirement for planning permision and registration but a STL as well is making business commercially unviable.

Any thoughts please?
Oct 11, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Planning permission
by: Anonymous

You can't trade on private land if you do not have the correct planning permission.
May 13, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Regsiter Your Food Business With Local Council
by: David

Hi Tina,

As long as you have permission to trade on private land i.e. car boot sales or markets. That’s all you need to trade on private land.

If you intend to trade in public places then you will need to get either a hawkers or street trading licence.To make sure speak to your local council.

Don’t forget that before you do this you will still have to be registered with your local council who will come out and inspect your food trailer, the same as any other food takeaway business. You should also have an up to date food and hygiene certifi
May 13, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		what other licences do you need ?
by: Anonymous

Hi David

Is that all you need to trade on private land?
A health & safety certificate, would you not need a traders licence or is that just if you are trading on council land?

I to am considering buying a catering trailer but I'm a bit confused about what licences you need for trading in different places.

I'm thinking maybe private land through the week and markets/carboot sales on weekends.

Thanks Tina
Apr 29, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Permission to Trade
by: David

Hi Kelly,

You can trade on private land as long as you have the permission of the landowner. However you will still need to register your food business with your local council before you begin to trade.

From here they will come out and inspect your food trailer and make sure that you have a valid

Regards
David

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