Street trading is defined under Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as the selling, exposing or offering for sale of any article in a street. This includes the sale of food and drink, such as burgers, kebabs, doughnuts and hot drinks, as well as non-food items such as vehicles, household goods, flowers and Christmas trees.
For guidance on applying for a Street Trading Consent, refer to the Street Trading Policy.
Street Trader Policy 2026 to 2031(PDF) [316 kb]
If you intend to sell food, you must register as a food business with the local authority. Further information on starting and registering a food business is available from the relevant Environmental Health service.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hart District Council have designated streets within their respective districts as Consent Streets. Anyone wishing to trade in a street within either district must obtain a Street Trading Consent before commencing trading.
For the purposes of street trading legislation, a street includes any road, footway or other area, whether publicly or privately owned, to which the public has access without payment and which has been designated as a Consent Street.
If you intend to trade from private land, a Street Trading Consent may still be required depending on the location and circumstances. You should contact the Licensing Team for advice before trading. You may also require planning permission for certain trading locations and should seek advice from the relevant Planning Authority.
If you intend to provide hot food or hot drinks to the public between 11pm and 5am, you may require a Premises Licence authorising Late Night Refreshment. Guidance on applying for a Premises Licence can be found on the Licensing pages.
A Street Trading Consent is not normally required for:
- A pedlar trading under a valid Pedlar's Certificate
- A market trader operating within a licensed market
- A news vendor selling only newspapers and periodicals
- A roundsman delivering goods as part of an established round
- Trading on private land where public access is restricted by payment or admission charge
The following locations within the Basingstoke and Deane Borough have been assessed as unsuitable for street trading:
- Lay-by on the southbound side of the A339 towards Alton (Grid Reference: 465256.148524)
- Lay-by at Harrow Way, Viables, Basingstoke (Grid Reference: 463211.150327)
- Car park at Retail Park, Wallop Drive, Basingstoke
- Car park at Brighton Hill Retail Park, Winchester Road, Basingstoke
- Car park and surrounding area adjacent to the Popinjay Public House, Popley, Basingstoke
- Spur Road adjacent to the Homebase rear entrance, Winchester Road, Basingstoke
- Lay-by off the roundabout at Winchester Road, Hatch Warren (near Sainsbury's)
- Access road to the rear of shops at Retail Park, Wallop Drive
- Jays Close
- Lister Road
- Overton Hill Car Park
- Shortwood Copse Lane
Street Trading Consent fees are reviewed periodically and may vary depending on the location, duration and nature of the trading activity.
The current fees and charges for Street Trading Consents are available at Licence fees
Applicants are advised to review the relevant fee schedule before submitting an application. An application will not be processed until the appropriate fee has been received.
Please note that fees are non-refundable as set out within the Refund Policy.
For further guidance on applying for a Street Trading Consent, or to make a complaint about a Street Trader, please email the Licensing team.
