Trading Spaces

Standards information

1. You must be at least 18 years old, have the legal right to work in the UK, and obtain our permission before selling, storing, or displaying goods at any Manchester Market.

   Permission may be granted in the following ways:

   • On a first-come, first-served basis for casual trading at the Sunday Market and Car Boot.
   • Through the casual allocation process for Longsight Outdoor Market and Gorton Pop-up Market, following a successful casual trader application.
   • Through a licence agreement for regular Sunday Market trading, Longsight Market trading and storage, and storage units at Gorton Indoor Market, following a successful occupancy application.
   • Through a lease agreement for Gorton Indoor Market and New Smithfield Wholesale Market, following a successful occupancy application.
2. You may only use the trading space allocated to you and must comply with the requirements of your registration, licence, lease, or occupancy agreement. You must not sublet your trading space. Failure to occupy or use the space in accordance with your agreement may result in the agreement being terminated by written notice.
3. Casual traders should not expect to receive the same trading space at every visit. If you refuse the space offered to you, we may not be able to offer an alternative. Trading spaces are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
4. We may refuse to allocate a trading space where:
   • it would negatively affect the mix of traders at the market;
   • the space has been closed; or
   • the space is required for another purpose.
5. We may need to relocate your trading space at any time. Where this happens, we will work with you to identify a suitable alternative location.
6. Licence agreements cannot be transferred to another person.

   Lease agreements may only be assigned with prior written approval from the Market Management Team. Assignments will not normally be approved:

   • during the first 12 months of the lease;
   • during the final 6 months of the lease;
   • where the current tenant or proposed assignee owes money to the Council;
   • where the proposed assignee is subject to an unspent suspension; or
   • where the proposed business would be substantially different from the existing business in its nature, goods, or trading activities.

   Before an assignment can be considered:

   • the current tenant and proposed assignee must meet with the Market Management Team;
   • the proposed assignee must provide a satisfactory business plan; and
   • the proposed assignee must successfully apply for occupancy and meet all eligibility requirements.

   The Council is not involved in the negotiation, sale, or purchase of market businesses. Council-owned fixtures and fittings are not included in any business sale and must not be advertised as such. Except for Council-owned fixtures and fittings, the Council accepts no responsibility for the ownership, condition, value, transfer, or sale of any stock, equipment, fixtures, fittings, goodwill, or other business assets.

7. We may need emergency access to your trading space when you are not present. If access is not available, we may force entry where necessary in an emergency.
8. Trading spaces may only be used to sell, display, store, or offer approved goods and services.

   Approved goods and services are those listed in your occupancy agreement or agreed by the Market Management Team when a casual space is allocated.

   Some goods and services are restricted. You must obtain written permission before changing the goods or services you are authorised to offer.

9. Except when trading at an outdoor market, you must not use your trading space to garage vehicles without our written permission. This does not apply to forklift trucks used in connection with your approved market business.

   LPG-powered forklifts must be stored in well-ventilated areas free from flammable materials, particularly overnight or during extended periods of storage.

10. You must not engage in pitching, including calling out to attract customers with or without amplification equipment, unless we have given permission.
11. You must not alter, extend, or build out from your trading space without our prior approval.

    All trading activities, displays, goods, and equipment must remain within the boundaries of your allocated space. Goods left unattended remain entirely at the owner's risk.

    We may remove any goods or equipment placed outside your allocated space, particularly where they create an obstruction, nuisance, or safety hazard. Items may be returned to your trading area or removed and disposed of where appropriate, especially in the case of perishable goods.

    Where market health and safety requirements are breached, an Infringement Notice may be issued detailing the breach and the action required to remedy it. An administration fee of £60 plus VAT will apply to each notice issued. Any disposal costs incurred will also be recharged.

12. You must keep market walkways and communal trading areas free from goods, equipment, waste, and debris. Your trading space and the surrounding area must be kept clean, tidy, and free from refuse at all times.
13. All sales, returns, repairs, and refunds must comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

    You must also comply with all legal requirements relating to:

    • food, toys, second-hand goods, alcohol, and smoking-related products; and
    • single-use plastics.
14. All goods you sell must be as described, safe, of satisfactory quality, and fit for purpose. This requirement also applies to second-hand goods, although customers should recognise that used items may show signs of wear.

    All services provided must be carried out:

    • as agreed;
    • with reasonable care and skill;
    • within the agreed timescale, or within a reasonable time if no timescale has been agreed; and
    • at the agreed price, or for a reasonable charge where no price has been agreed.
15. Where required for safe use, all goods, including second-hand goods, must be supplied with appropriate instructions in English.