Street trading licences

As well as regulating the markets, we also issue shop front licences and tables and chairs licences and tackle the problem of vehicles for sale on the highway. House to house and street collection licences are issued by the Metropolitan Police.

Why you need a licence

In general, any form of selling of goods or the provision of service which takes place in the street or on a public footway will require a licence.

There are exceptions, including trading as a news-vendor, provided that only newspapers or periodicals are sold and any container used meets certain restrictions.

Market trading licence

You will need a licence from us, whether you are testing the water on a temporary basis or trying to secure an annual pitch. Visit the markets page for more information.

Tables and chairs (amenities) licence

If you are a business, such as a restaurant or cafe, you need a licence to place tables and chairs outside on the public highway. You can download the tables and chairs (amenities) licence application form to apply for a licence.

Shop front licence

If you are a business, such as a grocer or mini-market, you need a licence to use the public highway outside your premises to sell or display goods. You can download the shop front licence application form to apply for a licence.

Car boot sales

You will need a licence to hold a car boot sale. Simply fill in the car boot sale licence application form and return it to the Market Office in person or by post.

For more information you can call the Market Office on 020 7926 2530 or visit in person at 53 Brixton Station Road, London SW9 8PQ.

Vehicles for sale on the highway

We are tackling the problem of vehicles for sale on the highway. Visit the vehicles for sale on the highway page for more information.

House to house collection licences

A licence is required by anyone collecting money or selling articles from door to door, shop to shop, pub to pub, etc. for charitable purposes and it is an offence to hold a collection without one.

Licences are issued by the Metropolitan Police - visit the house to house collections section of the Metropolitan Police website.

Street collection licences

It is illegal in this country to hold a street collection to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes without obtaining a street collection licence if that collection is to be held 'in a street or public place'.

Licences are issued by the Metropolitan Police - visit the street collections section of the Metropolitan Police website.