Street Trading

If you want to sell or offer for monies worth, goods or services on the street you will need a street trader's licence. 

Do I need a Licence?
Yes, if you wish to sell goods or provide a service in a public place. 

A "public place" means any place (whether a thoroughfare or not) to which the public have unrestricted access and includes:

• the doorways or entrances of premises abutting on any such place; and
• any common passage, close, court, stair, garden or yard pertinent to any tenement or group of separately owned houses; andA street traders licence may therefore be required for privately owned land which is open to which the public have unrestricted access.

You do not need a street trading licence for the following:

• the sale of newspapers
• 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 Pedlars Act 1871 has been granted
• any activity for which another type of licence under the Civic Government ( Scotland ) Act 1982 is required
• organising or participating in a public charitable collection, which has been granted permission under subsection (16) of section 119 of the Civic Government ( Scotland ) Act 1982
• if you are selling goods on the pavement immediately in front of a shop you operate from
• if you are operating from a kiosk or unit which is entered on the rates valuation roll. If you also intend to have someone working with you as an employee, they must also hold a street trader's employee licence.

An application for a stall or stance must be accompanied by  

• a plan showing the proposed location
• dimensions of the stance/stall
• written consent from any adjoining owners of property.

An application for a mobile street trader must be accompanied by;  

• the area of operation should be specified

  Please note that this Authority has identified specified zones within the City of Edinburgh where ice cream vans can trade.  Ice cream vans can only trade from a maximum of two specified zones within the city on any one licence.
  

  There is also an agreed area of operation for Pedicabs.

An application must be:

• In writing (including electronically).
• Be signed by the applicant (including digital signature).

What does it cost?
Fee List  - fees are non-refundable

What information do I need to provide?
The information requested on the application form, the appropriate fee and depending on the application type, a plan of the proposed area or, if a mobile trader, the area of operation or specified zones for ice-cream vans.

Anyone selling food will need to have their vehicle, stance or stall inspected to ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations. A licence to sell food cannot be granted without a valid Food Safety Certificate.

Are you eligible to apply?
Any person may make an application to operate as a street trader.

How do I Apply?
Applicants must complete the application form and submit it to the Licensing Section along with the correct fee.   You can also make and pay for an application on-line at ELMS.