Do I need a licence?
You need to apply for a street trading licence or consent if you are going to sell goods or food in any street, or any public area within 10 metres of the street.
Exceptions to this rule include news vendors or roundsmen. Please contact us to make sure you are exempt before you begin trading, or you may have your goods seized and face prosecution with a fine up to £1000.
How to apply
Whether you should apply for a licence or consent depends on the particular street in which you would like to trade. Some streets are designated as licence streets, while others are designated as consent streets.
Apply for a street trading licence
Please note that there are no new licences being issued at present.
Apply for short term street trading consent
Short term consent is for those wishing to trade within certain streets for up to 5 days in any six month period.
Apply for long term street trading consent
Long term consent is for those wishing to trade within certain streets for long periods, for example, on a seasonal basis. The period cannot exceed 12 months.
Fees
The correct fee should be enclosed with your application. Cheques should be made payable to Liverpool City Council. Fees are reviewed annually.
Licence fee
£207 per square metre plus additional charge:
- Where the licence holder is primarily permitted to trade only in fruit and vegetables and/or flowers – none.
- Where the licence holder is primarily permitted to trade only in hot or cold food or other commodities - £484 plus £32 if employing an assistant.
- Additional charge of £1,132 to licensees who trade late night/early morning.
Consent fee
- Long term consent (up to 12 months) £871.
- Long term consent (fruit, flowers, vegetables) £484.
- Flower sellers (Sunday only) £242.
- Short term consent * £30 per day or part day plus £32 if employing an assistant.
- Short term consent * fruit etc £18.50 per day or part day plus £32 if employing an assistant.
- Consent to trade during the football season £425 (match days only).
* Maximum of five days in any six month period.
Exceptions
There are certain types of limited activity which are considered not to be street trading and may take place in any street in Liverpool without the need to obtain a licence or a consent from Liverpool City Council. The Licensing Unit can give further details, but examples include trading as a news vendor (within specified limits) or a roundsman. If you feel your proposed activity may fall within one of the exceptions then please contact the Licensing Unit before you start trading.
Please note that the general exception which allows a person to sell goods in the street when acting as a certified Pedlar has been amended in Liverpool by the Liverpool City Council Act 2006. As from 27 November 2006, Pedlars must comply with the street trading legislation by obtaining a Licence or a Consent, or not selling in Prohibited Streets, unless their trading is limited to visits from house to house.
Any person not complying with the street trading legislation is liable to have their goods seized and face prosecution with a fine of up to £1,000.