Licences and permits
The permissions a business needs before it can trade — each one tied to the law that creates it, or to a plain statement that no national statute does, and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms; we never copy them.
4 of 41 licences · 3 with a named enabling instrument · 4 issued by a council
Narrow it down
Pick the activity you are asking about, and the nation you trade in. A licence can exist in one nation and not the next, so both matter.
What you do
Where you trade
Who issues it
Most business licences are issued by the council for the area you trade in — the licensing authority — under powers Parliament gave it. A small number are issued by a national regulator instead, and go to that body wherever you are.
1 licence on this list has no national enabling statute behind it — the regime is council byelaws or a local Act, or a statute that reaches only part of the area. Those pages say so plainly rather than citing something that does not apply to you.
Arts and recreation
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Events
2
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Market stall licence
To run a market stall as a trader, you need either a temporary ('casual') or permanent licence from the local council.
Hospitality, restaurants, bars and catering
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Retail: manufacturing and wholesale
3
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Market stall licence
To run a market stall as a trader, you need either a temporary ('casual') or permanent licence from the local council.
Street trading licence (England and Wales)
You may need to get a licence to trade in the street in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Street trading and markets
4
Auction premises registration
To sell goods by auction in a stall or other premises you might need to register with your local council
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Market stall licence
To run a market stall as a trader, you need either a temporary ('casual') or permanent licence from the local council.
Street trading licence (England and Wales)
You may need to get a licence to trade in the street in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Tourist accommodation, including hotels and campsites
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Checking approvals more broadly?
A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.