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Licences and permits
If you're selling or offering a service in a street or public place, you must have a licence.
There are three types of street trading licence.
You don't need a licence to sell newspapers or magazines from a container or bag carried by a seller, or for traditional doorstep deliveries like milk, bread or coal.
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.
Contact us if there is an area you would like us to consider designating as a permanent pitch. However, even if we do designate a pitch following your suggestion, you will still have to apply for the pitch by making a street trading licence application.
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.
If you want to sell at a one-off event, you must have a temporary licence.
Apply well in advance of your event, as we assess all applications separately and consult with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure 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.
You can use our customer portal to submit, pay and track your street trading licence application online.
A range of documents and current certificates must be uploaded with your application. Further information on the documents needed, is provided at the File Uploads step of your application.
You can also email [email protected] or call 028 9027 0650 to ask for an application form. Once you have completed the form you can post a copy of it and a cheque for the relevant fee, payable to Belfast City Council, to:
Building Control,
Cecil Ward Building,
4-10 Linenhall Street,
Belfast, BT2 8BP.
You can submit valid certificates (or other relevant documentation) using the online customer portal or by post.
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.
These are the revised fees for street trading licensing from 1 June 2026.
| Types | Application fee and renewal (non-refundable) | Nature of licence | Licence fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | £243 | Monday to Fridays | £744 |
| Saturday | £406 | ||
| Sunday | £515 | ||
| Monday to Saturday | £1083 | ||
| Monday to Sunday | £1489 | ||
| Monday to Friday (one day) | £406 | ||
| Stationary | £203 | Monday to Friday | £1083 |
| Saturday | £704 | ||
| Sunday | £785 | ||
| Monday to Saturday | £1354 | ||
| Monday to Sunday | £1692 | ||
| Monday to Friday (one day) | £406 |
| Type | Application fee (non-refundable) | Nature of licence | Licence fee per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary | £244 | Monday to Friday | £54 |
| Saturday | £68 | ||
| Sunday or public holiday | £95 |
| Types | Fee |
|---|---|
| Variation of licensing particulars | £135 |
The 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, check this list 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 Centra | Hot food (Night time trading) | Issued 202200111 | |
| 2 | Castle Lane - behind mosaic at junction with Castle Arcade, number 1 | Flowers, fruit and vegetables | Available | |
| 3 | Castle Lane - behind mosaic at junction with Castle Arcade, number 2 | Flowers, plants, arts and crafts | Issued 24706 | |
| 4 | Boucher Crescent - at lamp post number 16 | Hot food | Licence pending | |
| 5 | Apollo Road | Hot food | Unavailable | |
| 6 | Tomb Street – (one site) | Hot food (Night time trading) | Issued 202200001 | |
| 7 | Donegall Street in lay-by opposite Kremlin Night Club | Hot food (Night time trading) | Issued 201900071 | |
| 8 | Fountain Lane - 45 feet from junction with Donegall Place (1) | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Licence pending | |
| 9 | Fountain Lane - 60 feet from junction with Donegall Place (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Available | |
| 10 | Sliabh Dubh View | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued 25019 | |
| 11 | Dargan Crescent, 50 feet from junction with Dargan Road | Hot food | Available | |
| 12 | 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 202200242 | |
| 13 | Dargan Crescent - at Musgrave cash and carry | Hot food | Issued 25259 | |
| 14 | Falcon Road | Hot food | Available | |
| 15 | Duncrue Link - 50 feet from junction with Duncrue Road | Hot food | Issued 24267 | |
| 16 | Duncrue Crescent - 50 feet from junction with Duncrue Road | Hot Food | Available | |
| 17 | Belmont Road | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 18 | Malone Road at Malone Park | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 19 | 144 Upper Lisburn Road | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 20 | Upper Lisburn Road at Sicily Park | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 21 | Post box at Finaghy Road South | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 22 | Antrim Road, 50 metres from Kansas Avenue Junction - (one site) | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 23 | 177 Lisburn Road | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 24 | Lucerne Parade at Lockview Road | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 25 | Blackstaff Way at Delta Print and Packaging – (one site) | Hot food | Issued 202200077 | |
| 26 | Malone Road at Derryvolgie Avenue | Sunday newspapers | Available | |
| 27 | 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 | |
| 28 | Lower Garfield Street - 36 feet from junction with Royal Avenue (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products | Available | |
| 29 | Lombard Street - in line with and positioned in front of public toilets (1) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products | Issued 25244 | |
| 30 | Lombard Street - at junction with Rosemary Street beside flower planter (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products | Available | |
| 31 | Castle Place opposite Donegall Arcade | Commodity to be determined including the sale of bus tour tickets but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued 202200201 | |
| 32 | Berry Street starting at 32 feet 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 | |
| 33 | Berry Street starting at 46 feet 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 | Cornmarket outside BHS | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products | Licence pending | |
| 35 | The car park at Shaws Bridge – (one site) | Ice cream and confectionery | Unavailable | |
| 36 | Little Patrick Street - 45 feet from the junction with Corporation Street | The sale of commodities including tea, coffee, sandwiches and other hot foods | Unavailable | |
| 37 | Winetavern Street - One site at the rear of Smithfield Market | Fruit and vegetables | Available | |
| 38 | Donegall Quay - Area beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six pitches (number 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 20200003 | |
| 39 | Donegall Quay - Area Beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (number 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 202200210 | |
| 40 | Donegall Quay - Area beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (number 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 201900052 | |
| 41 | Fountain Street, 20 feet from the junction with Wellington Place | Sale of commodities or services to be determined | Licence pending | |
| 42 | Cotton Court (Waring Street) one pitch - see note 2 | Sale of arts and crafts on a Sunday | Unavailable | |
| 43 | Hill Street - See note 1 | Sale of arts and crafts on a Sunday | Unavailable | |
| 44 | Commercial Court - See note 2 | Sale of arts and crafts on a Sunday | Unavailable | |
| 45 | Falls Park, Falls Road | Sale of flowers on a Sunday | Available | |
| 46 | Antrim Road outside 179-181 Antrim Road | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued 202000016 | |
| 47 | Springfield Road at junction with Springfield Avenue | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued 202000019 | |
| 48 | Blackstaff Square, south-west corner - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Tea, coffee and sandwiches or similar commodities | Unavailable | |
| 49 | Donegall Quay - Area beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (number 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 201900035 | |
| 50 | Donegall Quay - Area beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (number 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 | |
| 51 | Donegall Quay - Area beside the Lagan Lookout Building for six Pitches (number 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 | |
| 52 | Balmoral Road outside The Range | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar products | Issued 201900069 | |
| 53 | Oldpark Road, in lay-by 45 feet from junction with Hillview Road | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar products | Available | |
| 54 | Cupar Way | Tourist souvenirs or similar commodities | Available | |
| 55 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (number 1) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 56 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (number 2) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 57 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (number 3) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 58 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (number 4) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 59 | The Arc, Titanic Quarter (number 5) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 60 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (number 1) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 61 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (number 2) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 62 | Hamilton Dock, Titanic Quarter (number 3) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 63 | 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 | Unavailable | |
| 64 | Titanic Plaza, Titanic Quarter (number 1) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 65 | Titanic Plaza, Titanic Quarter (number 2) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 66 | Titanic Plaza, Titanic Quarter (number 3) - Applicants must seek permission from Titanic Foundation | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar commodities, gifts and souvenirs | Unavailable | |
| 67 | Lay-by at Annadale Embankment | Hot and cold beverages, cold food, confectionery and ice cream | Issued 24256 | |
| 68 | Queen’s Quay | Commodity to be determined | Issued 202200208 | |
| 69 | Queen’s Quay | Commodity to be determined | Issued 202200209 | |
| 70 | Writers' Square | Commodities to be determined | Available. Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities. | |
| 71 | Writers' Square | Commodities to be determined | Issued 25206 | |
| 72 | Writers' Square | Commodities to be determined | Issued 202200206 Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities. | |
| 73 | Writers' Square | Commodities to be determined | Issued 202200214 Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities. | |
| 74 | Writers' Square | Commodities to be determined | Licence pending | |
| 75 | Writers' Square | Commodities to be determined | Available. Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities. | |
| Note 1 | Site 43, Hill Street - licence applications cannot be considered currently as there is inadequate space for stalls. | |||
| Note 2 | Site 42, Cotton Court and Site 44, Commercial Court are in the Cathedral Quarter. Designated a Conservation Area in 1990, the quarter has taken on a pivotal role as the cultural heart of Belfast and is home to over 50 arts organisations. We have set strict guidelines regarding the commodities that may be sold. These guidelines are:
| |||
Stationary licence holders can only trade on designated sites. Licence applications will be considered for the streets marked as available in the table. All sites are for daytime trading unless otherwise stated.
You should 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.
For a temporary street trading licence application, you need to submit this at least 42 days before the event.
You must not start trading until we have issued you with a street trading licence.
You have the right to appeal our decision if:
For stationary or mobile applications, we will let you know what our decision is and from the notification date, you have 21 days to write to us to appeal.
Once we receive your appeal, our Licensing Committee, will consider this. If our decision is confirmed by the committee, you will have 21 days from being notified to appeal to the magistrates’ court.
For a temporary street trading licence, if we refuse your application, your appeal must be made directly to the magistrates’ court within 21 days of us informing you of our decision.
Our officers can seize any property, goods, holders, equipment, stalls or vehicles if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that someone is trading illegally. We can prosecute an illegal street trader, resulting in a fine. The seized goods can be destroyed.
We can also prosecute a person under street trading legislation, if they are illegally street trading by commercially selling or carrying out repairs to vehicles in person on the street.
Email [email protected] or call us on 028 9027 0650 if you want more information or pre-application advice on street trading.
We also have guidance which you may find helpful. Contact us for copies of:
For more information and advice, get in touch.
Contact details
Building Control, Ground Floor, Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP
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