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North Ayrshire Council

Services A to Z:

Street Trader Operator and Employee Licensing

Why is a licence required?

To operate as a street trader you may need a licence for the Council.

A street trading licence is not required for:

  • The sale of newspapers only
  • The sale of milk by or on behalf of a person registered under the Food Safety Act 1990
  • The sale of coal or fuel derived from coal or coke.
  • Any activity for which a certificate under the Peddler's Act 1871 has been granted.
  • Any activity for which a more specific licence is required.
  • Organising or participating in a public charitable collection, which has been granted permission under Subsection (16) or Section 119 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

Who can apply?

Any person selling goods to the public requires to hold either a Street Trader Operator's Licence or a Street Trader Employee Licence.

Applicants wishing to sell food from their vehicle/stall need to have it inspected to ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations. Once your application is lodged the Council's Environmental Health Department will contact you to arrange the necessary inspection. A licence can not be granted without a valid Food Safety Certificate of Compliance.

How to Apply

There are two distinct types of Street Trader Operator licences. There is a static licence or an itinerant licence, these are explained in the application packs below.

Alternatively, an application form can be obtained using the contact details on the right of this page.

Completed application forms should also be sent to the contact details at the right of this page. The application form should be accompanied by the appropriate documentation and non refundable fee.

What happens next?

On receipt of the completed documents, the application will be circulated to all consultees listed on the front of the form and some of the consultees will carry out an inspection of the premises (if applicable). It will also be advertised on the Council's website to allow for members of the public to lodge any objections or representations to the issue of the licence.

If there are no objections, the licence will be issued for a period of 3 years from the date of issue.

What if I don't hear from North Ayrshire Council's Licensing Section within the specified time period?

It is in the public interest that North Ayrshire Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Office within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this using the contact details to the right of this page.

Please note that the application process may take up to 6 weeks.

Fees

For 2010/2011 the fees for Street Trading licences are listed below. These fees are subject to annual review.

  • Street Trader Operator Licence - £240
  • Street Trader Operator (Temporary) - £165
  • Street Trader Employee Licence (3 years) - £120
  • Street Trader Employee Licence (Temporary) - £90
  • Fee in respect of substitute vehicle during 3 year period - £105

The fee is not returnable if you decide to withdraw the application or if the licence is refused.

Who needs to have a Street Traders Licence before trading?
Street Traders include anyone who owns and operates grocery vans, fish vans, ice cream vans, flower stands, etc.