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How Do I Apply for a Street Trading Licence?

by Delcia
(Walsall (GB-WLL))

Cream vintage catering van trading on a UK high street

Cream vintage catering van trading on a UK high street

How do I apply for traders licence

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Jun 24, 2026
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by: MobCater

Applying for a street trading licence sounds more complicated than it actually is, Delcia, and most of it comes down to one phone call to the right department at your council.

In England, street trading on a public road or pavement is controlled by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Your council divides its streets into three types. Consent streets, where you need street trading consent, are the most common and the simplest to apply for. Licence streets work a bit differently, with set pitches the council allocates. Then there are prohibited streets, where no trading is allowed at all. So the very first thing I'd do is ring Walsall Council, ask for the licensing team, and find out which category your intended spot falls into before you fill anything in.

When you apply, you complete the council's street trading application form and pay a fee, and those fees vary enormously around the country. I've seen them range from about £50 for a casual daily permit up to £2,000 or more a year in busy city centres, so ask for the fee schedule up front so there are no surprises. Most councils will also want to see a few things alongside the form: your public liability insurance, your food hygiene certificate, proof you've registered as a food business, and often a gas safety certificate if you cook with propane. Having those ready speeds the whole thing along.

After you submit, the council usually takes a few weeks to decide, as they often consult the police and highways department before granting consent. One thing worth knowing is that registering as a food business with the council is a separate job from the trading licence, and you need to do that at least 28 days before you start serving, so get both moving at the same time.

If you plan to trade on private land rather than a public highway, you may not need a street trading licence at all, though you will need the landowner's permission and possibly planning consent.

Best of luck

David

Disclaimer: This is general advice for UK mobile catering. Licensing rules vary between councils, so always check with your local authority before you start trading.

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