Street trader's licence
Licence summary
If you trade in the street you may require a street trading licence. Applications should be made in writing (including by electronic means) to your local district council, or the district council for the area you wish to trade.
You must provide specific information, including details of the street you wish to trade on and the days and times you wish to trade. You may also be required to provide two photographs of yourself. You must comply with any conditions attached to a licence.
Eligibility Criteria
You must be over 17 years of age to hold a licence.
Applications and eligibility is determined by the provisions under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
Regulation Summary
See the External Links section on this page for the regulation summary.
Application Evaluation Process
Under certain circumstances if certain grounds for refusal exist the council may still award a licence but for fewer days than require, or to allow trade in certain items. The council will either grant the application or serve a notice on you within a reasonable time. The notice will be served if the council 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 detail the grounds for their decision and state that within seven days of the notice you can request in writing the opportunity to make representations.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.
Apply online
Please use the link under the External Links section on this page to submit an application.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance. If you wish to appeal a decision of the council you may appeal to the local Magistrates' court within 21 days of the date you were notified of the decision. You may appeal the decision of a Magistrates' Court to the local Crown Court. Licence Holder Redress Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance. If you wish to appeal a decision of the council you may appeal to the local Magistrates' Court within 21 days of the date you were notified of the decision. You may appeal the decision of a Magistrates' Court to the local Crown Court.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress
E.g. about noise, pollution, etc. Also should one licence holder complain about another.