Street Trading Policy consultation 2024

Consultation closes: Wednesday 18 December 2024
Consultation opened: Thursday 7 November 2024

Our Street Trading Policy was last reviewed in 2018. It requires an update to remain current, and several amendments have been proposed.

These changes aim to create a supportive environment for economic growth, allowing existing businesses to thrive and attracting new ones to the area.

This will be achieved by enhancing the requirements for street trading consent applicants and establishing clear expectations for consent holders.

Street trading encompasses a wide range of activities. It refers to anyone selling goods in a public area where no entrance fee is charged. In Central Bedfordshire, most street traders are food vendors, often operating from mobile vans either stationed at a single location or rotating between several sites. We also have traders selling non-food items such as clothing, toys, or plants.

Certain events and activities are exempt from street trading regulations. These include markets, community-run events organised by town and parish councils, and charity events like school PTA fundraisers. Traders at car boot sales usually do not require street trading consent since these events typically charge an entry fee. Similarly, traders at private events generally do not need consent, as the public does not have unrestricted access. For a complete list of exemptions, please refer to our street trading policy.