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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.
To apply to renew your street trading licence, you can:
Apply online for a street trading licence
Or you can email buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9027 0650 to ask for an application form. Once you have completed the application form you can:
You can submit valid certificates (or other relevant documentation) by post or by email to buildingcontrollicensing@belfastcity.gov.uk.
You can also visit our customer reception on the ground floor of the Cecil Ward Building during office hours to make your application, collect forms or pay your fee.
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 seller. 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.
If there is an area you would like us to consider designating as a permanent pitch, contact us. 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.
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 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.
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 “Centra” | Hot Food (Night time trading) | Issued 202200111 |
| 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 | Boucher Crescent - at lamp post No 16 | Hot Food | Available |
| 5 | Apollo Road | Hot Food | Available |
| 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 - 45ft. from junction with Donegall Place. (1) | Commodity to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Pending |
| 9 | Fountain Lane - 60ft. 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 202000059 |
| 11 | Dargan Crescent, 45 feet from its 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 202000007 |
| 13 | Dargan Crescent - at “Musgrave cash & carry” | Hot Food | Pending |
| 14 | Falcon Road | Hot Food | Available |
| 15 | Duncrue Link - 45ft. from junction with Duncrue Road | Hot Food | Issued S00024 |
| 16 | Duncrue Crescent - 45ft. from junction with Duncrue Road | Hot Food | Issued 202200105 |
| 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, 50m 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 ft. from junction with Royal Avenue (2) | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products of any nature | 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 of any nature) | Available |
| 30 | 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 |
| 31 | Castle Place opposite “Donegall Arcade” | Commodity to be determined including the sale of bus tour tickets but excluding the sale of hot food | Available |
| 32 | 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 | Licence pending |
| 33 | 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 | Licence pending |
| 34 | Cornmarket outside “BHS” | Commodity to be determined but excluding food and beverage products of any nature | Pending |
| 35 | The car park at Shaws Bridge – (one site) | Ice-cream and confectionery | Issued S00120 |
| 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 (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 |
| 39 | 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 |
| 40 | 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 |
| 41 | Fountain Street, 20 ft. from the junction with Wellington Place | Sale of commodities and/or services to be determined | Pending |
| 42 | Cotton Court (Waring Street) One pitch - see note 2 | Sale of Arts and Crafts on a Sunday | Available |
| 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 | Available |
| 45 | Falls Park, Falls Road | Flowers | Available |
| 46 | Castle Junction (Kiosk) | Hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery, ice cream, cold food and theatre, event and bus tour tickets | Unavailable |
| 47 | Antrim Road outside 179-181 Antrim Road | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued S00081 |
| 48 | Springfield Road at junction with Springfield Avenue | Commodities to be determined but excluding the sale of hot food | Issued S00082 |
| 49 | Blackstaff Square, south-west corner - Applicants must seek permission from the Department for Communities | Tea, coffee and sandwiches or similar commodities | Unavailable |
| 50 | 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 |
| 51 | 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 |
| 52 | 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 |
| 53 | Balmoral Road outside The Range | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar products | Issued S00117 |
| 54 | Oldpark Road, in lay-by 45ft from junction with Hillview Road | Hot and cold food and beverages or similar products | Available |
| 55 | Cupar Way | Tourist souvenirs or similar commodities | Available |
| 56 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 57 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 58 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 59 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 60 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 61 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 62 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 63 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 64 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 65 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 66 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 67 | 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 | Site currently unavailable |
| 68 | Lay-by at Annadale Embankment | Hot and cold beverages, cold food, confectionery and ice cream | Issued 202200141 |
| Note 1 | Site 43 - Hill Street - licence applications cannot be considered at this time as there is inadequate space for stalls. | ||
| Note 2 | Sites 42 - Cotton Court and Site 44 - 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 home to over 50 arts organisations. As such, we have 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 Infrastructure 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, 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.
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.
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 traders can be fined up to £1,000 and we can have the seized goods destroyed.
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, contact us.
For more information and advice, get in touch.
buildingcontrol@belfastcity.gov.uk
Building Control, Ground Floor, Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP
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