You must have a Market Rights Licence to hold a market in Manchester. This is a legal requirement under our Market Rights Policy.
What counts as a market?
A market is any event with five or more trading spaces, including:
- car boot sales
- table-top sales
- traditional or specialist markets
- fairs and exhibitions.
Trading spaces can be:
- pitches
- stalls
- gazebos
- tables
- vehicles (including caterers).
Each space is for one seller. If a space has more than one seller, it counts as multiple spaces.
You still need a licence if:
- you own or have permission to use the premises
- you have planning consent or other permissions. E.g. Premises Licence, Temporary Event Notice, Traffic Regulation Order.
- the market is indoors or outdoors, public or private land
- the market is for charity or not-for-profit
- the market is part of a bigger event. E.g. festival, fete, concert, fairground.
Running a market without a licence is unlawful and may lead to legal action.