Apply for a street trading licence

If you trade in a street in Wandsworth, you need a street trading licence from us and you must comply with the conditions of the licence.

You must provide:

  • Details of the street you wish to trade on
  • Days and times you wish to trade
  • Two photographs of yourself

A summary of the regulations relating to this licence

Further information on conditions of trading

Eligibility criteria

You must be over 17 years old.

Licences will be refused if:

  • There isn't enough space in the street you wish to trade in, without causing interference or inconvenience to street users
  • You wish to trade for less days than any minimum required trading days
  • You have previously failed to pay fees due under another street trading licence or have failed to use a previous street trading licence

Application evaluation process

Once you have decided when and where you wish to trade, complete the application form.

You will then be invited to attend an interview.

Apply for a street trading licence

You can: 

Do not pay the fee until you have been offered a pitch.

What to bring to the interview

Two identical passport size photographs. They must be clear, up-to-date photos, showing your full face.

Two proofs of ID with your name and address such as:

  • Your passport or new-style photo-card driving licence (we can not accept old-style paper licences)
  • Recent bills - no more than three months old such as gas, phone, water, electricity or council tax (mobile phone bills are not accepted)

Public liability insurance proof - minimum cover £2 million.

National Insurance number proof, such as:

  • National Insurance card
  • Inland Revenue document
  • Tax statement
  • Benefits agency document
  • Pay slip
  • P45 or P60

Granting or refusing the application

We will either grant the application or serve a notice on you within a reasonable time.

Granting the application

We must process your application before it can be granted. You cannot start trading until you receive a street trading licence from us. Contact us if you have not heard from us within a reasonable period. 

The notice

If there are grounds for refusal, we may still award a licence under certain circumstances. For example, you may be allowed to trade certain items or for fewer days than required.

The notice will be served if we:

  • Intend to refuse the application
  • Grant it on different terms than those applied for
  • Confine trading to a particular place in a street
  • Vary conditions of a licence, or
  • Revoke a licence.

The notice will tell you why the application was refused, or why it is granted on different terms than those applied for.

You have seven days to appeal from the date of the notice.

Contact us

You should contact us if: 

  • You are unhappy with a condition imposed
  • You have not heard from us within a reasonable period
  • You have a query about a licence or permit issued by us

Complaints about a street trader

We would advise you to complain to the trader in the first instance, by letter and with proof of delivery.

If that has not worked, get consumer advice from Adviceguide (Citizens Advice).

Other complaints

If you are concerned about other matters relating to a street trader, such as a concern related to noise or health and safety, you can report it online.  

European services directive 

If you think that we have not complied with the European services directive by imposing requirements or conditions in respect of your application that are discriminatory, unfair or disproportionate, contact the UK SOLVIT Centre.

Health and safety

Before setting up any business in the UK, you must ensure that it will comply with the relevant health and safety regulations. 

Further information on health and safety.