Hello, we’ve received an update from the Cabinet member for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, Cllr Gerald Kelly, below:
You will recall that earlier in the year West Suffolk wrote to street traders, business groups, town and parish councils, as well as posts across our social media channels and in the local media to encourage people to help shape a new street trading policy for West Suffolk.
The aim of this was to create a single approach for the whole of West Suffolk that was fair and consistent, balancing how we best support local businesses and the sustainable growth of our economy while also best serving the interests of our residents and visitors.
Our engagement asked about what the level of regulation should be.
The survey found that most of the respondents, were in favour of there being regulation to help deal with any issues such as litter, and poor quality of goods. They backed an approach whereby any street trader would need to apply for licensing consent from the council.
The majority of people responding also said criminal records checks should be carried out.
From those responses, we have created a single Street Trading policy for West Suffolk which, following further consultation, was approved in September.
Under the new policy traders would undergo a DBS check. A criminal record that involves sexual violence or previous serious fraud charges, including the sale of counterfeit goods, would be immediately rejected. A criminal record involving other crimes would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This policy will now come into effect from early next year and will be introduced under a phased approach.
The first stage, from 20 January 2025 applies to individual street traders while the second phase from April may apply to you if you organise on-street events.
Phase 1 street traders
We are currently writing to all of our licensed street traders to advise them of the changes and what is means to them. If they wish to continue to trade under their current consent, they will need to submit their renewal application at least 28 days before their current consent expires. Providing they are seeking no major changes to their consent and there are no substantiated complaints or enforcement against them, they will simply need to complete a form, pay the fee and provide proof of insurance including public liability of at least £5,000,000.
From January, officers will also be visiting areas to speak to unlicensed street traders to ensure they are aware of the new policy and the need to apply for street trading consent. It is a criminal offence to operate without consent. Officers will be giving those businesses already trading without consent a 30-day grace period in which to make their application – after which if no application has been made, enforcement action will be carried out. The above will target those areas where there are already issues and complaints first.
New businesses enquiring about street trading will be directed to our www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Business/Licensing-and-regulation/Licensing/street-trading/street-trading.cfm and policy document which will provide all the details on how they can apply.
We will also highlight that the new policy is coming into effect through a press release and social media posts.
Prospective street traders will need to ensure that they have the written permission of the landowner. Where the location forms part of the adopted highway, permission will need to be sought from the Highways Authority.
On receipt of a valid application the licensing authority will consult with appropriate consultees, which includes the Highways Authority and the ward councillor(s).
As a part of this process due consideration will be had for the prevention of harm and nuisance, and that any trader is “fit and proper” to hold a consent to trade within West Suffolk.
Any street trader who trades without having received the required consent will be carrying out an offence and may be fined up to £1,000.
Phase 2 – event organisers
The second phase of our approach applies to town and parish councils, business improvement districts, and other organisers of commercial events. It only applies to events on public highway and that are not for a charitable purpose. Although the new policy was adopted in September, we recognise that many of your events will be planned months ahead. For this reason, the street trading policy will only apply to events after 1 April 2025.
Event organisers will only need to make one application and one fee but will need to provide details of traders and confirm that insurance is in place.
You can read the policy in full at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Business/Licensing-and-regulation/Licensing/street-trading/upload/WSC-Street-Trading-Policy.pdf
Should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing