Street Trading Licences for Food Vans: How Councils Decide

Do you need a street trading licence for a food van?

Usually, if you sell to the public in a street or public place. In most of England and Wales, councils that have adopted Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 can designate streets as prohibited, consent or licence streets, and trading in a consent or licence street needs the council's permission. London boroughs use separate London legislation, and Scotland licenses street traders under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Rules, fees and conditions vary from council to council, so the answer for your pitch comes from the council for that pitch, not the one where your van is registered.

What counts as a street?

More than you might think. Under the 1982 Act, a street includes any road, footway or other area the public can reach without paying, which can take in lay-bys, car parks and some privately owned land open to the public. A private wedding in a field that the public cannot walk into is generally not street trading; a pitch in a supermarket car park or a town square usually is. If in doubt, ask the council's licensing team before you trade.

Consent streets and licence streets

A consent is the lighter form. It can be granted for up to 12 months, can be revoked, and can carry conditions about times, location and nuisance. Trading from a van needs the consent to say so. A licence is the more formal route, used for regular fixed pitches and markets, and is harder to revoke. Many councils use consents for mobile food traders and licences for fixed pitches.

What does it cost?

Each council sets its own fees, and they range widely: from modest annual fees at some district councils to several thousand pounds a year for sought-after pitches in large cities. Some charge per day or per event. Look up the council's current fee schedule, which is usually published with its street trading policy.

What do councils usually ask for?

An application form, a plan or description of the pitch, photographs of the van or stall, proof of food business registration and often your hygiene rating, public liability insurance (commonly £5 million), a gas safety certificate for LPG appliances, and sometimes a basic criminal record check. Some consult the police and highways before deciding. Allow several weeks.

What about markets, events and ice cream vans?

Trading at an organised event or market is usually covered by the organiser's arrangements with the council, but check that it is. Some councils have particular rules for ice cream vans that move from street to street, including chime times, which in England are set by a code of practice on noise. Pedlars' certificates do not cover a stationary food van.