Street trader licence and consent

Please read the following information in full

Street trading means the selling, exposing or offering for sale of any articles in a street. A street includes any road, footpath, beach, any part of a street or other area to which the public have access without payment.

All street trading within the boundaries of the district is controlled by Manchester City Council. Street trading is not permitted in any of the designated prohibited streets. Street trading within the remaining streets is only permitted when a licence or consent has been granted by us.

There are 2 type of street trading authorisation issued by us:

• Street Trader Licence which includes the City Centre and extends to the Inner City Ring Road; and
• Street Trader Consent which incorporates the remaining streets (excluding prohibited streets) within the City of Manchester boundary

Things to consider before submitting an application

• Please check the map below to find out if the area you want to trade in is prohibited: Prohibited Streets Map
• Accessibility – can you access the site safely and will your unit cause problems for pedestrians?
• Parking restrictions – can you legally park at the location? Parking restrictions such as double yellow lines continue all the way across the pavement so any restrictions on the road would also apply to the footpath.
• Who owns the land?  If the land is privately owned, you will need to find out who owns it and get their permission before you can make an application.  You can check online to find out if a road or alleyway is private or publicly maintained.

City Centre Prohibited Streets

• Market Street and St Mary’s Gate
• Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens
• St Ann’s Square/ Exchange Street
• King Street
• New Cathedral Street and Cathedral Gardens
• Exchange Square
• St Peter's Square
• Albert Square
• Lincoln Square

Street trader licence £720.00
Street trader consent £420.00

Apply for or renew a street trader licence or consent

Download guidance notes

Applications can take up to 8 weeks (about 2 months) to process, due to the 28-day consultation period.

Where objections are received a hearing will be held before the Licensing and Appeals Sub-Committee for a decision. The applicant and anyone who made an objection to the application will be invited to attend.

If your licence application is refused you have the right of appeal to the Magistrates Court. If your consent application is refused you have the right of appeal to the full Licensing and Appeal Committee.

Read the Policy

Read the legislation

A licence or consent is valid for a period of 12 months from the date on which it is granted.

View the General Licensing Public Register