Street Trading

The Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001

What is Street Trading?

Street trading means selling goods or providing a service in a street or public place. To do this legally, you must hold a Street Trading Licence.

What is Not Street Trading?

Some activities are exempt from needing a street trading licence under the Act. These include:

• Roundsmen (e.g. milkmen, bread men, coal delivery)
• Traders selling or providing services door-to-door
• Trading at or beside a petrol filling station
• Trading at or beside a shop, when the activity:
• Is part of the shop’s business, and
• Takes place during the shop’s normal opening hours
• Does not obstruct the footpath
• Busking does not require a licence—however, selling items such as CDs does need one.

Stationary street trading

The Council may only issue Stationary Street Trading Licences for designated trading sites.

• A list of current available sites is available in the downloads section.
• Any vacant sites will be listed on this webpage.
• Licences are issued for 12 months, expiring each year on 31 March.

Designation of New Street Trading Sites

Council considers new site designations once a year.

• Deadline for submissions: 31 October each year
• Proposals must follow the Street Trading Designation Policy

To suggest a new site, submit:

• A Street Trading Application Form
• A site location map clearly showing the proposed pitch

If the Council designates the site, you must still apply for the licence, and allocation will be handled in line with Council policy.

Mobile street trading

This includes ice-cream vans, mobile shops, and any trader moving between locations.

A Mobile Trading Licence is required to run within the district.

You must give:

• Your proposed trading route
• The days and times you intend to trade

Temporary licence for events

To trade at a one-off event, you must get a Temporary Street Trading Licence.

Key points:

• Apply well in advance — applications are assessed in consultation with PSNI and other statutory bodies.
• A temporary licence is valid for up to 7 days.
• You can receive a maximum of five temporary licences per calendar year.

Street trading opportunities

Any new opportunities or vacant stationary pitches will be advertised on:

• The Council website
• Council social media channels

Licence allocation will follow Council policy.

Street Trading Fees

Cheques should be made payable to: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Street Trading Policies

Click here for Temporary Street Trading Policy
Click here for Stationary Licence Policy
Click here for Mobile Licence Policy
Click here for Street Trading Designation Policy
Click here for Enforcement Policy
Click here for Dealing with Changed Circumstances Policy
Click here for Stall Design and Trading Policy

Enforcement Action Against Illegal Traders

Any person trading illegally may be prosecuted with a maximum fine of £1,000 and may have goods seized.

How to Apply

Apply Online: 

Application forms can be obtained by clicking in the downloads section below or from the Council's Downpatrick or Newry offices at the following addresses:

T: 0330 137 4030