Any person wishing to trade from a van or stall in any of the streets within the Braintree District must obtain consent from the council. The type of trading could range from hot and cold food and drink to flowers and anything in between. Trading is generally favoured on industrial estates but applications are considered anywhere in the district.

How do I know if I need a consent?

If you are looking to sell items on a permanent site from a van or stall, or drive round the street selling items within the Braintree District a consent will be required. Consent is required if you intend to trade on any street, public land or  Private Land which is within 7 meters of a highway. The only exception is where the public is denied access except by payment, when trading is then regarded as private and not requiring local authority consent.

Are there any designated sites from which to trade?

No. The Council does not have any sites set aside for this purpose and each individual case is treated on its merits so we would not refuse to accept an application. It is true to say however that applications for lay-bys on the Braintree by-pass, A120 or similar are discouraged on the grounds of traffic

Are there any restrictions of days and hours that I can trade?

The Council has decided that the latest hours of trading to be permitted under a street trading consent will be as follows:-

Sundays to Thursdays inclusive - until midnight

Fridays to Saturdays - until 1 a.m. the following morning

Additionally if applicants wish to trade in a town centre, consents are granted for non-market days ONLY. To trade in a town centre on market day, the applicant should contact the Council's Community Services Department.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to contact: Essex County Council Highways Dept, Essex Police and the Landowner to seek provisional approval before submitting their application.

- Application for the Grant or Renewal of a Street Trading Consent