Goods on the Highway
A pevement licence allows you to place goods on the highway in front of your premises if they area of the same type of goods as sold inside the shop. For example an electrical or clothing shop cannot apply to sell fruit outside, an estate agent would not be able to sell coffee and a green-grocers would not be able to sell clothing. The goods must also be sold by your own staff and not by a third party.
If you have sub-let your forecourt, have been approached by someone to sell other goods in front of your shop, or intend to sell something different to what is sold inside, this is street trading and a street trading licence would be needed.
Cafes and ice-cream
If you are a cafe, food shop or ice-cream parlour and intend to have only an ice-cream, juice or other food dispenser in front of your premises, without additional goods, you are eligible to apply for a BAPA Licence for the counter. These are only available for a whole year, so if you are seeking a short term licence, a goods licence may still be a better option, dependant on the amount of space required.
Types of goods for sale
Consideration will be given to the proximity of traders and type of goods traded, to ensure that the amenities of the area are not compromised by excessive trading.
All licences are subject to our Pavement Trading Policy (PDF 40 KB).
Licences will not be issued for the following goods:
- new and used cars
- new and used motorcycles
- second hand gas and electrical appliances
- second hand clothes
- pets and livestock
- containers of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) including any which are part or fully discharged
- explosives including shop goods (fireworks)
- petroleum products including petroleum mixtures or solvents
Space for access
A minimum of 2m clearance must be maintained between the goods and the kerb or any street furniture. In areas of busy footfall, this would increase to 3m or 3.5m. In all cases, we cannot issue a licence for more than half of the available pavement. Your goods or furniture must not obstruct any access into adjoining properties.
All goods and furniture must be removed from the pavement when the premises is not trading.
Pavement Licences are issued at the Council's discretion, and we will refuse applications where there is not enough space on the pavement without causing disruption, obstruction, or inconvenience to other street users.
Duration
All licences are annual and expire on 31 March each year, but you may also apply for a six months licence to cover the summer period only.
Licences are issued for the period and space agreed, if you decide not to use the space for the time agreed there is no refund.
The issue of a licence does not replace planning permission or allow the development of any permanent structure.
Fees
Fees are calculated on a weekly basis at £9.90 per square metre. (From 1 April 2024)
The fee is calculated from the date the application is accepted not the date from which the licence is issued.
To make an application
Please ensure you read the guidance, information and linked documents before you complete the application form.
Download the pavement trading licence application STD04 (PDF 368KB) and post it to us to the address on the form or email it to licensing.authority@redbridge.gov.uk, with a copy of your Public Liability Insurance Certificate.
Once received, an officer will visit to confirm the space requested and to discuss any concerns/amendments to be made.
What happens next
Consultation
We will send details of the application to the police, highways and local councillors for comment and a list is published on our website for the public to comment. They have 28 days to respond beginning the day after the application is received.
Determination
If no concerns are raised, an invoice will be raised for the fee due and an approval letter issued at the end of the 28 days. If there are concerns, we will discuss this with you to see if the application can be adjusted to fit before approval is given. If this is not possible, the application may be refused.
Licences will not be issued until approved and paid for. Do not place any goods or furniture on the Highway before the licence is issued or you may be fined.
Payment and issue
The licence can be issued if payment is made in full, or if payment is made for the first three months of trading with direct debits set up for the remainder. Full payment information will be on the invoice.
Your new licence will not be issued until we receive confirmation of payment received and the application has been approved.
Renewal
These licences must be applied for annually and we remind all current licence holders in February each year, but it is the responsibility of the licence holder to apply in good time to avoid a gap in cover.
Premises that have had a licence before do not have to carry out the 28 day consultation if there are no changes such as increases to space used or hours of trading.
