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
Newry Christmas Switch-on Event- Public Notice
Guidance Notes for Newry Christmas Switch On
- 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
| Type of Licence | Application Fee (Non-refundable) £ | Licence Fee (Including Application Fee) £ |
| Stationary Licence | £88 | £1015 |
| Mobile Licence | £88 | £338 |
| Temporary Licence | £88 | £88 for first application £55 for each subsequent application (maximum of four) Increase the fee for a double pitch to £142 standard pitch size is 5m x 2 m |
| Variation | £60 | n/a |
Cheques should be made payable to: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Street Trading Policies
- Temporary Street Trading Policy
- Stationary Licence Policy
- Mobile Licence Policy
- Street Trading Designation Policy
- Enforcement Policy
- Dealing with Changed Circumstances Policy
- 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
Written application forms can be obtained from:
Oifig Dhún Padraig
Downpatrick Office
Licensing Section
Downshire Civic Centre
Ardglass Road
Downpatrick, BT30 6GQ
Oifig an Iúir
Newry Office
Licensing Section
Unit 19 Rampart Road
O’Hagan House
Greenbank Industrial Estate
Newry, BT35 8DJ
Contact Details
Telephone: 0330 137 4030
Email: licensing@nmandd.org
Or by dowloading the relevant forms below:
