Markets - Becoming a Market Trader
We offer permanent, temporary, events, specialist and themed pitches at various competitive fees.
How can I become a market trader?
If you're thinking about setting up a stall in one of Lambeth's famous markets, you need to talk to the Market Office first. You can contact them on 020 7926 3138 or by email at markets@lambeth.gov.uk
You will need a licence from us, whether you're organising an event on a temporary basis or trying to secure an permanent pitch.
We can offer you lots of practical advice to help you make a success of your stall.
Follow our five-point plan of action and you'll be off to a flying start:
- Check the suitability of the market.
- Check that what you want to sell isn't already widely available in the market.
- Take into account all of the costs involved: the licence fee, the monthly or daily charge and the need for adequate insurance.
- If you can start off as a temporary trader, to see how well things go before applying for a permanent licence.
- Get advice from the Market Office about how the law affects street traders. You can also get advice from Trading standards on what goods you can legally sell.
How do I apply for a temporary licence?
Temporary licences are issued on a daily basis from the Market Office to fill vacant pitches, which means you could find yourself working in different parts of the market on different days.
You must register with us as a trader first, before you can apply for a temporary licence. To register you will need to fill in the market trading licence form.
Documents
You will need to give us the the following proof in support of your application:
- Passport (or full photo driver's licence if you don't have one).
- Proof of National Insurance number.
- Household bill (less than three months old and not including mobile phone bills).
- Public liability insurance.
- Your bank details.
If you need more information on public liability insurance, you can contact insurance companies or the Market Office.
Allocation of temporary licences
Inspectors from the Market Office allocate pitches in Brixton's markets on a daily basis.
In Lower Marsh and Lambeth Walk, temporary traders must pay the correct charges before finding a vacant pitch to set up for the day. An inspector will come round and validate the payment during the day.
Pitches are allocated depending on trading history, attendance and commodity, rather than on a first come first served basis.
Any trader who wants to make a comment, compliment or complaint should contact the Markets Manager at:
If you are not satisfied with the response you can then have it reviewed by the Head of Street Care. You must put this in writing to:
- Street Trading, Lambeth Street Care, Service Team House, 185 - 205 Shakespeare Road, London SE24 0PZ.
How do I apply for an permanent licence?
You can trade on a specific pitch with an permanent licence, which is valid for 2 years.
Applications are accepted every year when vacancies are advertised on our website, council buildings, in the local press and around the market areas. Vacancies are usually advertised around Easter.
To apply for a permanent licence you will need to fill in the market trading licence form.
Fees
If you are granted a permanent licence, you pay the fee and one month's pitch charge in advance. Subsequent payments are made by Direct Debit.
Please contact the Market Office on 020 7926 3138 or email markets@lambeth.gov.uk for more information on fees and charges.
Eligibility
To be considered for a licence, you must: be aged 17 or over, have paid outstanding money for stalls previously rented in any Lambeth market and preferably have had experience as a market trader with a good trading history.
Where do I apply for a licence?
Once you have registered as a trader, you can apply for a temporary licence at any time from the Market Office, 53 Station Road, Brixton, London SW9 8PQ.
To apply for a permanent licence you should fill in the market trading licence form and return it to Street Trading, Lambeth Street Care, Service Team House, 185 - 205 Shakespeare Road, London SE24 0PZ.
We can only accept applications for a permanent licence when vacancies are advertised, this is usually around Easter. There are no waiting lists for permanent pitches.
Our service standards
We aim to give you best service possible in accordance with our service standards:
- We will consider new applications for permanent licences within six weeks.
- We always take enforcement action against illegal street traders.
- We aim to respond to all complaints from members of the public and traders within fifteen working days of receiving the complaint.
- We issue temporary licences on the day to registered traders.
More information