Street trading

Temporary street trading application

Pavement licences

The Business and Planning Act introduced Pavement Licences, however through Section 229 and Schedule 22 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 that the Business and Planning Act 2020 has been amended. The set fee of £100 for both new and renewal of pavement licences has now changed to £350 for a renewal and £500 for a new licence under the Business and Planning Act 2020. Licences will now be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issue.

The Pavement licence application can be used to put removable furniture on the highway adjacent to the premises. Premises for which an application can be made include pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants or other drinking establishment, and premises for the sale of food for consumption on or off the premises.  

Find out more about our fast track pavement licence

If you are applying for a shop front display, stall or A-board please complete the application form on this page below.

Street trading licence information

You'll need to apply for a licence to trade in:

  • covered stalls
  • food vans
  • shop front displays 
  • 'A' board
  • tables and chairs on the street

This can be on the street, pavement or within seven metres distance from the street.

A temporary street trading licence can be issued for up to six months.

Instructions for completing the online application

Please complete the online application form and make payment. We will provide you with a notice to display at the premises about the application so that people in the area are aware of the application and can comment. 

Please do not place any items on the public highway before you receive your licence as you may receive a fixed penalty notice. 

The Licensing Team will be in contact to let you know the start date of the consultation as approval is first required from our traffic and transport team before the consultation can start (the licensing team will liaise with the traffic and transport team on your behalf). The Licensing Team will then send you the relevant notice to be displayed and advise you further. 

The Licensing Team will be in contact to let you know the start date of the consultation as approval is first required from our traffic and transport team before the consultation can start (the licensing team will liaise with the traffic and transport team on your behalf). The Licensing Team will then send you the relevant notice to be displayed and advise you further. 

Once granted, you will be contacted for the licence fee payment.

See also: Conditions for street cafe licences (PDF)

Apply for a temporary street trading licence

If you are applying for a street trading licence there will be a 28 day consultation and then a decision will be made if the licence can be granted. 

If you have an existing temporary street trading licence

All temporary street trading licence applications must go through a public consultation even if you have a licence in place.  Therefore, your application must be submitted no later than three months before your existing temporary street trading licence expires to take into account the consultation period (28 days) and if required, hearings before the relevant Licensing Panel.

If we do not receive your application in time and your current licence expires you will not be able to carry out any street trading activities and will need to remove any articles from the pavement until your new licence is in place.

Have your say on a street trading application

See: Make a representation for a street trading licence

How to apply

  1. Read our street trading policy (PDF)
  2. Download the street trading application form (PDF) 
  3. Complete and return to the address below

Fees

Street trading licence fees are payable in two parts:

  • an application fee, payable when you submit the application form
  • the licence fee, payable when your licence is granted

You will not be allowed to trade until both parts of the fee have been paid.

The application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused.

You can pay both parts of the fee when you apply. If you do pay both parts of the fee at the application stage and your application is refused, you will be refunded the licence fee.

See: Street trading fees and charges 

Application process

  • Once your application and fee are received a 28-day consultation period will start.
  • Consultation takes place with community environment, food safety, health and safety, the highways authority and other relevant authorities.
  • After this, your application will be considered by the licensing committee.
  • the process can take up to two months.
  • applications must be processed before permission is granted.

Contact us

Send your completed application by email: licensing@hounslow.gov.uk

Phone enquiries: 020 8583 5555

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