What is a street trading consent?
Most streets in the central area of Bury St Edmunds are "prohibited streets" (that is no street trading). This covers the area bounded by St Andrew's Street (South), St Andrew's Street (North), Station Hill, Out Northgate, Northgate Street, Angel Hill, Honey Hill, Sparhawk Street, Maynewater Lane and Westgate Street.
Angel Hill and Station Hill are "consent streets" (that is street trading only with the consent of the council).
In Haverhill the following are "consent streets" are High Street, Hamlet Road, Camps Road and Queen Street.
How do I apply?
Contact Licensing Services, apply online or download an application form and the policy and guidelines against which applications are considered. When making your application, please submit a plan of where you propose to trade from, together with a picture of the stall/catering stand.
The links below take you to an external website which processes these applications on behalf of St Edmundsbury Borough Council:
Please note
If you are intending to apply to trade for more than 28 days per year you will also need to make an application for planning permission. In the first instance, please contact the planning department on 01284 757066.
How much does it cost?
The fees are for the total time of your consent, not how much you use it, and are based on the size of space you use. Please visit:
What happens next?
All applications are referred to the following bodies for consultation:
St Edmundsbury Borough Council:
- Planning and Engineering
- Property Services
- Finance
- Legal Services
- Economic Development
- Environmental Health and Housing
also:
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Suffolk Constabulary
- Suffolk County Council Highways Department
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry/Town Council (where appropriate)
If the consultations indicate any problems, or issues to be resolved, you will be informed and it may be that the application is considered by the Licensing and Appeals Committee, or Haverhill Town Council.
Will tacit authorisation apply?
Yes, you should expect that the council will determine this application within 28 days from the date on which it receives your application.
The clock starts when the completed application is submitted along with all the required information and documents requested, including fee. If the local authority spots an error or omission in the application, it can be placed on hold and the clock starts from the beginning when the applicant either supplies a correction or all the information requested.
If your application can not be determined because the council needs more information, you will be notified, and the clock will stop until the outstanding information is supplied.
If the council has received objections to the application which means that it will have to be referred to a licensing panel, you will be notified in writing. The period will then be extended to the date on which your application is determined at hearing, and you will be notified of the outcome of the hearing not later than ten working days after the day of the hearing.
The street trading consent
The council may:
- attach such conditions to a consent as they consider reasonably necessary. These conditions may
a. prevent obstruction of the street or danger to persons using it
b. prevent nuisance or annoyance (whether to persons using the street or otherwise)
c. prevent cleanliness in the area
- at any time, vary the conditions of a consent
- make the consent subject to conditions of a consent
- make the consent subject to conditions which determine where the holder of the consent may trade and the times between which or periods for which he or she may trade;
- grant the consent for any period not exceeding 12 months, and revoke it at any time.
The consent holder may at any time surrender his consent, and it shall then cease to be valid.
A consent granted to one person is not transferable.
What can I do if my application is refused?
If your application is refused you can discuss the application with the appropriate council officers. However, other than Judicial Review, there is no statutory right of appeal against the council's decision.
Reporting complaints
If you have a complaint about any trader or have information regarding any persons trading illegally (that is without a licence) please contact us on the above number.
If you have any queries please contact:
Licensing Services
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3YU
Phone:01284 757103
Email:licensing@stedsbc.gov.uk
