Street trading

Prior to applying for a temporary street trading licence all applicants must obtain written proof that they have obtained the permission of the owner of the land, site or premises to trade from that location or have ownership of the land. If the land is on the public highway, please contact our traffic and transport team at traffictransport@hounslow.gov.uk to request permission.

If planning permission is required, this must be sought and obtained prior to submission of any application. Please contact our planning department at planningcomments@hounslow.gov.uk discuss this further.

All applicants for a new street trading licence must submit at time of application proof of either ownership of the land, site or premises or written proof that they have obtained the permission of the owner of the land, site or premises to trade from that location. In addition, if planning permission is required proof that it has been obtained must also be submitted. You will not be able to continue with your application if this has not been obtained.

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