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Street trading notice following public consultation

Street trading involves selling or offering for sale any article in any street (including all forecourts, roads, pavements and other areas next to streets) or free public open spaces. In Waverley, we have certain streets where street trading is prohibited and some others require our consent before people can trade there.

Councils control street trading so that they can decide where to allow street trading, and manage the environmental and safety implications that street trading can create. The control of street trading can also benefit traders as it provides security over their trading activities and location.

Current arrangements till 4 April 2021

The current Street Trading Policy 2015, and prohibited and consent streets are detailed on our website on the street trading consent page, along with a summary of the application process, forms and fees for different types of event. There is also a map of current prohibited and consent streets.

  • Prohibited Streets - No street trading is allowed.
  • Consent Streets – Street trading is only allowed with the prior consent of the Council, and traders have to apply for consent to trade.
  • Other Streets - There are no restrictions on people street trading

The aim of the policy is to prevent obstruction of streets, ensure public safety, recognise the importance of the local economy and community events, and prevent nuisance or annoyance to people the area. The Police, Fire Service, Highways, local members and community are consulted on applications before a decision is made to grant a consent.

New arrangements from 5 April 2021

We reviewed the Street Trading Policy 2015, and designated consent and prohibited Streets to make sure they were fit for purpose.

Following an informal consultation inviting Waverley Borough Councillors, all Town and Parish Councillors, Surrey County Council Highways, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Parking Services at Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Waverley Police, Surrey’s Chief Constable, and Waverley’s Economic Development for feedback a revised draft Street Trading Policy 2020, including prohibited and consent streets, was put together.

In December the revised draft Policy 2020 went to Licensing and Regulatory Committee, the committee report also detailed the process, and recommended revised fees which Committee agreed.

  • Prohibited Streets - No street trading is allowed.
  • Consent Streets – All roads in the Waverley Borough Council area, other than prohibited streets, are designated consent streets i.e. Street trading is only allowed with the prior consent of the Council, and traders have to apply for consent to trade.

Concerns were raised that recently there have been a number of undesignated streets where street trading has taken place having an adverse impact on the community and giving rise to complaints about noise, smells and general nuisance from customers, and where there are no controls to enable the council to mitigate the impact.

The formal public consultation ran from 16 December 2020 to 27 January 2021. All the organisations detailed above were contacted and notices were published in local newspapers circulating in the area. People were also made aware of the consultation via social media. A report recently went to Licensing and Regulatory Committee to review feedback.  

The Licensing and Regulatory Services Committee resolved to pass the resolution agreed at Committee in December 2021. They also agreed the Street Trading Policy 2021 which comes into force on 5 April 2021. It will mean all roads in the Waverley Borough Council area, other than prohibited streets, are designated consent streets. A list of prohibited Streets is given in the Policy and on the notices below.

Information on how this will affect Street Traders in Waverley and if they will need consent to trade is detailed in, Frequently Asked Questions – Will I need a Street Trading Consent.

If you have any queries please contact Environmental Health, Email: environmentalhealth@Waverley.gov.uk, Telephone: 01483523393, Letter: Environmental and Regulatory Services, Waverley Borough Council, The Burys, Godalming, GU7 1HR.

Formal notices

A copy of the formal notices required, and in local papers circulating in the area, is given below.

Public notice about the new resolution (March 2021)