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Street trading licence


Contents

Introduction to Street Trading

‘Street trading’ means the: 

  • selling
  • or exposing
  • or offering for sale

of any article in a street. A 'street' includes:

  • any road,
  • footpath
  • or other area

to which the public have access without payment.

We regulate Street Trading so that we can decide where to allow street trading. This helps us regulate this so we can manage the environmental and safety implications. For example:

  • obstructions
  • overcrowding in streets
  • escape from/access to premises causing public safety issues
  • nuisances such as smells, noise and litter

On 1 July 2016, the Licensing Authority designated the whole of Cornwall as a street trading ‘consent’ area. This means all street trading in Cornwall requires the Licensing Authority’s consent.

This excludes various exemptions. Please refer to the Statement of Practices, Procedures and Policy for full details.

Policy Review

Please note the Council’s Statement of Practices, Procedures and Policy is currently being reviewed 

For ease of reference, the proposed changes are shown in shaded italics.Draft revised PolicyAny comments on the proposed changes to the policy, should be emailed to licensing@cornwall.gov.uk  by no later than 15 August 2025. 

How to apply for Street Trading Consent

Before making an application you should refer to our:

  • Statement of Practices, Procedures and Policy. This is strongly recommended.
  • You should then contact your local Licensing Team. Our aim is to assist you in applying for the correct licenses to suit your needs. We also aim to help mitigate any problems which may arise during the application process.

Applicants are required to provide proof of entitlement to work in the UK before a Consent is issued.

Download a Street Trading Application Form

Fees and charges for handing out street trader licences

Street Trading Fee (2025-2026)
Application Fee for each street / location applied for:  
New £230
Renewal / Variation £135

Set locally

If applying for more than one location for the same:

  • unit
  • stall
  • vehicle,
additional £65 payable for each location being applied for instead of the quoted £230/£135 as appropriate.		  
Plus Trading fees. - Payable if application approved, depending on how many days of the week trading takes place and how many calendar months.   
Occasional - Fee Shown Per Day £8
1 day a week £65
2 days a week £75
3 days a week £90
4 days a week £110
5 days a week £120
6 days a week £135
7 days a week £140

5% discount given on trading fees for 9+ months trading. 10% discount given on trading fees for 12 months trading of the total monthly fee payable.

Please also note, if paying by instalments, and payment is overdue by more than 28 days. An additional £15 is payable to cover administrative costs.

Additional charge of £8 per day for any trader wishing to operate prior to the start of the 1st whole trading month.

  

 

Licensing Direct

We now offer a chargeable service to support street trading enquiries and applications. This includes Pre-Application Advice and Application Assistance.

We can help you through all aspects of the application process, including:

  • identifying whose permissions you need
  • whether or not your chosen location may be exempt from the need to apply for a Street Trading Consent

Over 1000 applicants have used this service. Customers surveyed said that they would either recommend or use this service again.

For further information please refer to our Licensing Direct (Street Trading) flyer. This includes our terms and conditions

We can also offer a comprehensive range of business regulatory support services. This is available to help and advise businesses to be more successful and compliant.

Please contact the Licensing Service for further information.

Pop up sites

From time to time the Council have a tender opportunity for pop up sites. There are sites across Cornwall on:

  • beaches
  • harbours
  • car parks
  • open spaces

The Council are looking for interesting and innovative uses of their land for pop up sites. More information can be found on the pop up sites page.

Data Protection / UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Please refer to our Street Trading Consent Privacy Notice under UK GDPR.

Need help?

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