What this covers
To run a market stall as a trader, you need either a temporary ('casual') or permanent licence from the local council.
It applies in England and Wales. Other UK nations run their own regimes — check the equivalent for the nation you trade in.
Why you need it
The requirement is real, but which provision creates it is not settled. Our best current reading is Food Act 1984 — the note above explains how far that gets you.
We hold this mapping at low confidence: the licence is real, but the instrument named above is our best current reading of which one creates it. Check the source before relying on the citation.
We have not yet extracted duties, penalties or exemptions for this Act into the graph, so there is nothing more we can add beyond the source text.
Who issues it
Your local council issues this, acting as the licensing authority for the area you trade in. Councils apply the same statute but set their own fees, conditions and timescales, so two neighbouring authorities can reach you differently.
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.
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Register and run a food business
How to register your food business with your local authority, meet food hygiene requirements, and achieve a good food hygiene rating. Essential compliance for …
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
Street trading licence (England and Wales)
Your council · England and Wales
Approval of premises for civil marriage and civil partnership (England and Wales)
Your council · England and Wales
Auction premises registration
Your council · England
Hypnotism permit (England, Scotland and Wales)
Your council · England, Wales and Scotland
Local authority environmental permits (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.