Street and highway trading

Information about trading on the highway and the required permits/licences

Application for street trading consent

Apply for street trading consent using the form below:

• Apply online for street trading consent 
  (Please read the Street Trading Consent Policy (65.2 KB) for more information and guidance).

Important information on trading on the highway (street trading)

You are advised that the rules for trading in the district may be different to those followed in the towns of our neighbouring authorities.

General rules

Under traffic and parking regulations, no trading of a fixed nature is allowed on the highway including lay-bys and grass verges. If an obstruction or traffic problem is caused then the Highway Authority have the power to take immediate action. If no such problem is considered to exist, they may leave enforcement action to the relevant district council.

Local rules

• In South Oxfordshire all main roads are designated as prohibited streets and trading is only permitted by consent from the council. Consent is only given for pre-designated sites after a tendering process.
• Other locations on minor roads and streets are usually constrained by environmental issues such as odour and noise which is why sites in the rural towns and villages are not often available. If complaints are received then action is taken under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• Trading on private land requires the permission of the landowner and will also require planning permission from the council.

Mobile food catering

The council often receive enquiries from people who wish to set up a mobile catering business and need to know more about the logistics of doing this within South Oxfordshire.

The following information serves as a guideline: 

Food Safety Act

As a food business, you are required to register with the council within whose boundaries you propose to operate (for a mobile trader this would usually be your home address).

You are also required to operate your business in accordance with the Food Safety Act 1990 This link will take you to an external website... and will be subject to periodic inspection by your local district council.