Introduction to street trading

Street trading is the sale of goods or services in public places, and is allowed on most streets in Denbighshire, but is restricted or not permitted in some areas.

Consent is usually needed to trade legally in public places, unless there's an exemption. 

Who needs consent for street trading

Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, street trading consent is required for selling, exposing or offering for sale of any article (including a living thing) in a street. 

Under the Act, a street includes any road, footway, or any area the public can access without payment.

Traders will need to pay a fee when applying based on the duration of consent needed. Find out how to apply and view the fees for street trading consent. 

Exemptions

You do not need consent if you are:

• a pedlar with a valid Pedlar’s Certificate
• trading at a market or fair held under lawful rights
• trading in a trunk road picnic area
• a news vendor selling only newspapers/periodicals from a very small receptacle
• a roundsman
• providing permitted refreshment facilities under the Highways Act
• trading under specific Police, Factories, etc. Act regulations

Pedlars

A pedlar is a seller who trades while on foot and carries goods with them. Pedlars may only stop briefly to serve customers and must have a pedlar's certificate to sell door to door.

Find out how to apply for a pedlar's certificate (external website)

Roundsman

A roundsman is a trader who serves a regular, defined set of customers and follows a set route. We consider a roundsman to be someone who:

• takes orders from customers and delivers goods directly to them, and
• trades door to door, rather than selling goods from a fixed position on the street.

This type of trading is carried out by visiting customers at their homes or businesses, instead of operating from a static or street‑based pitch.

Where can street trading take place?

Most streets in Denbighshire are consent streets, meaning trading is allowed with permission. This includes:

• pub car parks
• supermarket and retail park car parks
• industrial estate forecourts
• lay‑bys and verges
• privately owned land where the public can freely access

Streets where trading is prohibited

There are some streets in Denbighshire where street trading is prohibited.

Find out where street trading is prohibited.

Fines and penalties

Enforcement action can be taken if someone:

• trades without street trading consent or the required licence
• trades on a street where trading is prohibited
• doesn’t keep to the conditions of their street trading consent

Enforcement action can include:

• street trading consent or the required licence being suspended or withdrawn
• fines of up to £1,000