Pay
Report
Apply
It looks like you're using IE11...
This browser offers limited functionality on our website. We recommend you use the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox.
Licences and permits
If you're selling or offering a service in a street or public place, you must have a licence.
My licence expires during the current ‘lockdown’ but I have already made my renewal application – what will happen?
If we have already received a renewal application from you, your licence will remain in force even though the renewal date has passed. We will inspect your pitch as soon as we are able and make a renewal decision at that date.
My licence will expire during the current lockdown and I haven’t yet made my renewal application – what should I do?
You must still submit an application to renew your licence even if you are unsure as to whether you intend to operate in the future so as to allow you to resume the licensable activity once the government restrictions are lifted. If your licence has already expired, or you are unable to pay the application fee to accompany your renewal application, please contact us urgently to discuss how we can help. You can contact us by email buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk
How do I apply to renew a street trading licence during the current restrictions?
If your licence expired by the 30 April 2020 you should already have received a renewal reminder application pack. We may also contact you by email (if we have your email address) or phone to confirm if you want to renew your licence.
Anyone who has not received a pack, or who needs one now for a later renewal can contact us on buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk.
Currently to apply to renew your street trading licence you can:
I cannot supply updated certificates – what should I do?
It is accepted that applicants will not be in a position to commission certificates that would normally be submitted with a street trading application. These should be provided as soon as possible once restrictions are lifted.
If you do have valid certificates (or other relevant documentation) you can submit these by email to buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk.
Can I have a rebate on my renewal and licence fee given I have been forced to close?
You must pay the renewal application fee with your application. However, in order to help you with the overall licence cost, the renewal date will be when we make a decision about your application, rather than the expiry date of your old licence. Your new licence will last for 3 years from when we approve your application (once all technical and legislative requirements are met). The licence fee will only need to be paid then from the renewal date.
We are unable to offer any refund or rebate on existing licences. The licence fee covers the cost of enforcement, the designation process and ongoing general administration of street trading and is set by Council at a level which currently does not enable full cost recovery of this function.
There are three types of street trading licence:
For more information about Mobile trading in our Parks visit our parks section.
You don't need a licence to sell newspapers or magazines from a holder carried by the sell. Milk men, bread men, coal men and delivery men are also exempt.
Buskers don't need a licence, but if they want to sell items like CDs they must apply for a licence.
We only grant licences for areas which we've approved for stationary street trading.
If we want to designate new trading areas we will publish legal notices (for 28 days), explaining our proposals, in local newspapers to make sure the public and other organisations are consulted.
All mobile traders, including ice-cream vans and mobile shops, must have a mobile trading licence which allows them to work within specific areas of Belfast.
If you're applying for a mobile trading licence you must tell us the route that you propose to trade from in your application form. You must also give details of the days and times you intend to trade.
Even if you only want to sell at a one-off event, you'll need a temporary licence.
Apply well in advance of your event, as we assess all applications separately and liaise with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Department for Instructure Roads to decide if your proposal will cause any inconvenience to the public.
Temporary licences for events are only valid for up to seven days. We can only grant traders five temporary licences in one year.
If you're applying for a temporary licence, you'll need a map showing the exact location of your planned site. This should be included with your application form.
To apply for a street trading licence you will need:
Licensing fees should only be paid once we have decided to grant or renew your mobile or stationary street trading licence.
You can pay monthly in person at our offices, located on Ground Floor, Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP, or via cheque or postal order.
The first monthly payment must be made before your licence is issued. All cheques and postal orders should be payable to Belfast City Council.
| Types | Application fee and renewal (non-refundable) | Nature of licence | Licence fee per year | Licence fee per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | £180 | Monday to Fridays | £550 | £45.83 |
| Saturday | £300 | £25 | ||
| Sunday | £380 | £31.66 | ||
| Monday to Saturday | £800 | £66.66 | ||
| Monday to Sunday | £1100 | £91.66 | ||
| Stationary | £150 | Monday to Friday | £800 | £66.66 |
| Saturday | £520 | £43.33 | ||
| Sunday | £580 | £48.33 | ||
| Monday to Saturday | £1000 | £83.33 | ||
| Monday to Sunday | £1250 | £104.16 |
| Type | Application fee (non-refundable) | Nature of licence | Licence fee per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary | £180 | Monday to Friday | £40 |
| Saturday | £50 | ||
| Sunday or public holiday | £70 |
| Types | Fee |
|---|---|
| Variation of licencing particulars | £100 |
Stationary licence holders can only trade on designated sites. Licence applications will be considered for the bold streets only. All sites are for daytime trading unless otherwise specified.
This table shows the number and location of all designated pitches in Belfast. It also outlines the items which can be sold on each pitch and whether the pitch is currently available. If you are interested in applying for a stationary licence, you should check this information first to make sure your planned location is a designated pitch, and is available.
| Pitch number | Location | Products | Status Licence number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donegall Square East at “Santander” | Hot Food (Night time trading) | Issued S00002 |
| 2 | Castle Lane - behind mosaic at junction with “Castle Arcade” No 1 | Flowers, fruit and vegetables | Available |
| 3 | Castle Lane - behind mosaic at junction with “Castle Arcade” No 2 | Flowers, plants, arts and crafts | Available |
| 4 | Malone Road at Malone Park | Flowers on a Sunday | Available |
| 5 | Boucher Crescent - at lamp post No 16 | Hot Food | Pending |
| 6 | Apollo Road | Hot Food | Pending |
| 7 | Tomb Street – (one site) | Hot Food (Night time trading) | Issued S00008 |
| 8 | Donegall Street in lay-by opposite “Kremlin Night Club” | Hot Food (Night time trading) | Issued 201900071 |
| 9 | Fountain Lane - 45ft. from junction with Donegall Place. (1) | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Pending |
| 10 | Fountain Lane - 60ft. from junction with Donegall Place. (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Available |
| 11 | Sliabh Dubh View | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Available |
| 12 | Dargan Crescent, 45 feet from its junction with Dargan Road | Hot Food | Available |
| 13 | Donegall Square North - Front of City Hall | Ice cream, hot and cold beverages, confectionery, crepes, wraps and other artisan foods from a traditional tricycle | Issued S000065 |
| 14 | Dargan Crescent - at “Musgrave cash & carry” | Hot Food | Issued 202000000 |
| 15 | Falcon Road | Hot Food | Available |
| 16 | Duncrue Link - 45ft. from junction with Duncrue Road | Hot Food | Issued S00024 |
| 17 | Duncrue Crescent - 45ft. from junction with Duncrue Road | Hot Food | Issued S00025 |
| 18 | Belmont Road | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 19 | Malone Road at Malone Park | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 20 | 144 Upper Lisburn Road | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 21 | Upper Lisburn Road at Sicily Park | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 22 | Post Box at Finaghy Road South | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 23 | Antrim Road, 50m from Kansas Avenue Junction– (one site) | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 24 | 177 Lisburn Road | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 25 | Lucerne Parade at Lockview Road | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 26 | Blackstaff Road at Delta Print and Packaging – (one site) | Hot Food | Pending |
| 27 | Malone Road at Derryvolgie Avenue | Sunday Newspapers | Available |
| 28 | Lower Garfield Street - at junction with North Street (1) | Commodity to be determined but including the sale of crepes, waffles, roasted nuts, sandwiches, paninis and hot pastries | Site currently unavailable due to building works |
| 29 | Lower Garfield Street - 36 ft. from junction with Royal Avenue (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products of any nature | Available |
| 30 | Lombard Street - in line with and positioned in front of public toilets (1) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products of any nature) | Issued S00040 |
| 31 | Lombard Street - at junction with Rosemary Street beside flower planter (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products of any nature | Available |
| 32 | Castle Place opposite “Donegall Arcade” | Commodity to be determined including the sale of bus tour tickets but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued S00097 |
| 33 | Berry Street starting at 32 ft. from the junction with Royal Avenue running along the wall at the Telecom Unit | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Available |
| 34 | Berry Street starting at 46 ft. from the junction with Royal Avenue running along the wall at the Telecom Unit | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Available |
| 35 | Cornmarket outside “BHS” | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products of any nature | Pending |
| 36 | The car park at Shaws Bridge – (one site) | Ice-cream and confectionery | Issued S00120 |
| 37 | Little Patrick Street - 45 Feet from the Junction with Corporation Street | The sale of commodities including tea, coffee, sandwiches and other hot foods | Unavailable |
| 38 | Winetavern Street - One Site at the Rear of Smithfield Market | Fruit and vegetables | Available |
| 39 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (No 1) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Sale of commodities including hot and cold food and beverages confectionery, tourist gifts and other services | Issued S00113 |
| 40 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (No 2) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Sale of commodities including hot and cold food and beverages confectionery, tourist gifts and other services | Issued S00098 |
| 41 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (No 3) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Sale of commodities including hot and cold food and beverages confectionery, tourist gifts and other services | Issued S00110 |
| 42 | Fountain Street, 20 ft. from the junction with Wellington Place | Sale of commodities and/or services to be determined | Issued 2020000008 |
| 43 | Cotton Court (Waring Street) One pitch see note 2 |
Sale of Arts and Crafts on a Sunday | Available |
| 44 | Hill Street - See note 1 |
Sale of Arts and Crafts on a Sunday | Unavailable |
| 45 | Commercial Court - See note 2 |
Sale of Arts and Crafts on a Sunday | Available |
| 46 | Falls Park, Falls Road | Flowers | Available |
| 47 | Castle Junction (Kiosk) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Hot and cold non alcoholic beverages, confectionery, ice cream, cold food and theatre, event and bus tour tickets | Available |
| 48 | Antrim Road outside 179-181 Antrim Road | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued S00081 |
| 49 | Springfield Road at junction with Springfield Avenue | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued S00082 |
| 50 | Blackstaff Square, south-west corner - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Tea, coffee and sandwiches or similar commodities | Unavailable |
| 51 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (No 4) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Sale of commodities including hot and cold food and beverages confectionery, tourist gifts and other services | Issued S00121 |
| 52 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (No 5) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Sale of commodities including hot and cold food and beverages confectionery, tourist gifts and other services | Unavailable |
| 53 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (No 6) - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Sale of commodities including hot and cold food and beverages confectionery, tourist gifts and other services | Unavailable |
| 54 | Balmoral Road outside former B&Q | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar products | Issued S00117 |
| 55 | Oldpark Road, in lay-by 45ft from junction with Hillview Road | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar products | Available |
| 56 | Cupar Way | Tourist souvenirs or similar commodities | Pending |
| 57 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (No 1) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 58 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (No 2) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 59 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (No 3) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 60 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (No 4) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 61 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (No 5) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 62 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (No 1) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 63 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (No 2) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 64 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (No 3) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 65 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (No 4) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 66 | Titanic Plaza, Titanic Quarter (No 1) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 67 | Titanic Plaza, Titanic Quarter (No 2) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| 68 | Titanic Plaza, Titanic Quarter (No 3) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Available |
| Note 1 | Site 44 - Hill Street - licence applications cannot be considered at this time as there is inadequate space for stalls. | ||
| Note 2 | Sites 43 - Cotton Court and Site 45 - Commercial Court, which are situated in the Cathedral Quarter, are one of the oldest and most distinctive areas of Belfast. Designated a Conservation Area in 1990, in recent years the Quarter has taken on a pivotal role as the cultural heart of Belfast and is now home to over 50 arts organisations. As such, the Council has set strict commodity guidelines regarding the commodities that may be sold. These guidelines are detailed below. a) Products should be original, locally produced, of high quality and hand-made by professional, indigenous artists and designers. b) Arts – such as fine art, print, photography c) Crafts – such as jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, pottery, clothing and books. | ||
Tacit consent does not apply.
It is in the public interest that Belfast City Council must process your application before it can be granted. The Police, Department for Instructure Roads, local residents and local shops and other street traders have a legitimate interest in the outcome of street trading applications.
Tacit consent does not apply to minimise the risk of a licence being granted inadvertently and subsequently resulting in public disorder, removal of protection to the public and a cumulative adverse environmental impact on the vicinity of the trader. If you have not heard from the council within a reasonable period, please contact us.
Whilst Tacit Consent does not apply, we will strive to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application, including issuing the licence, within 10 working days of the council decision made in relation to the application.
The council must give written notice of its decision within a reasonable time.
Please allow a minimum of 28 days from the date of receipt for us to process your application for a stationary or mobile street trading licence.
The application for a temporary street trading licence needs to be submitted at least 42 days before the event.
You have the right to appeal our decision if:
The council will serve a notice of its intention and appeals must be lodged to the council in writing within 21 days of the date of the notice informing you of the decision.
If the council upholds their decision, appeals can be made to the magistrates court within 21 days of the notice of the final decision.
If an application for a temporary licence is refused the applicant can appeal to the local magistrates court within 21 days of the date of the notice of the decision.
Under the Street Trading Act, our officers can seize any property, goods, holders, equipment, stalls or vehicles if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that someone is trading illegally. Illegal
If we find a business is causing an obstruction by:
We can fine the business £100 under street trading legislation.
To report a nuisance vehicle caused by a business, email buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0650.
We have further guidance which you may also find helpful. Email buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0650 if you want further information on:
If you have any queries or complaints, or to find out if a licence has been issued, please contact us.
Read aloud