What this covers
To sell goods by auction in a stall or other premises you might need to register with your local council
It applies in England — but not uniformly within them, because no single national statute governs it. Other UK nations run their own regimes — check the equivalent for the nation you trade in.
Why you need it
We hold no national enabling statute for this licence. See the note above for why. Rather than cite an Act that does not create it, we say so plainly — your council remains the authority on whether you need it.
Who issues it
Your local council runs this, and it runs it under its own byelaws or a local Act rather than a national statute. That means requirements vary more between authorities than they do for a licence Parliament defined for the whole country — what one council requires, its neighbour may not, and some may not license it at all.
Where to apply
Our guidance on this
Everything below is written out in full elsewhere on Guvnor — this page points at it rather than repeating it.
Get licences from your local council
Comprehensive guide to local authority licensing requirements including premises licences for alcohol and entertainment, food business registration, street trading, pavement licences, Temporary Event Notices, …
Find licences you need for your business
How to identify and apply for the licences, permits, and registrations your business needs using GOV.UK Licence Finder. Covers premises licences, food registration, transport, …
Licences that often go with this one
Businesses in the same activities usually need one or more of these too.
Child work permit (England and Wales)
Your council · England and Wales
Market stall licence
Your council · England and Wales
Street trading licence (England and Wales)
Your council · England and Wales
Duty, penalty and exemption labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the enabling instrument, not the instrument itself. Fees, forms and conditions are set by the issuing authority — always check the linked source.