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Street trading

You need a licence to trade on a street in Carlisle.

Street trading means selling or offering goods for sale:

  • in a street
  • from a stationary van, cart, barrow or other vehicle

In most cases, you need street trading consent before you can sell goods on any street in the Carlisle and Copeland areas.

You should check with our Highways team and Highways England to see if there are any restrictions that could affect your trading.

If you want to sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am, you will also need a premises licence for late night refreshment.

Applying for street trading consent

To apply for street trading consent, you must send us:

  • a completed application form
  • a photo of your vehicle
  • a site location plan
  • written consent from the landowner
  • a copy of your vehicle’s MOT and insurance certificates
  • copies of electrical and gas safety records
  • public liability insurance

You must provide proof that you have permission from the landowner or manager to trade on their land, including highways.

Any fee paid to the landowner is separate from the fee for your street trading consent application.

Apply on GOV.UK for street trading consent in Carlisle.

After you've applied

After we receive your application, there is a 14-day consultation period.

We will advertise your application at the proposed trading site. If no objections are received, consent will be granted after the consultation period.

Street trading consent last for 12 months from the date they are granted.

Occasional street trading consent

If you want to trade for a short time or at a one-off event, you can apply for an occasional street trading consent.

These are charged per vehicle.

Enforcement

If you think someone is trading without consent, contact us. We will take enforcement action if the rules are broken.

Pedlar’s certificates

Pedlars sell goods door to door and must keep moving between sales. They cannot stay in one place, unlike licensed street traders.

How to apply for a pedlar's certificate on GOV.UK

To apply for a pedlar’s certificate, contact Cumbria Police on 101.

With a pedlar’s certificate, you can trade anywhere in the country.