Reviewing our street trading policy
Results updated 15 Oct 2024
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on our proposed updates to the Street Trading Policy.
The Licensing Committee met on 8 October to consider the responses received to the engagement and the wider proposals. The Committee resolved that:
- Kingston Riverside and the junction of Raeburn Avenue and Warren Drive North are to be included in the list of areas where street trading from a pitch is allowed
- Church Street and Union Street are removed from the list of designated streets where new applications for trading from a pitch are permitted.
More information on Licensing Committee, including the live stream, is available on the council's website.
Overview
In 2020 we introduced a new Street Trading Policy to provide a framework to control street trading in the borough.
Street trading is the sale or offering for sale of items in a street. It can include trading from established locations or as part of a one off event. It also includes placing items on the highway including tables and chairs, advertising boards and shop front displays.
We oversee street trading to ensure our communities are kept safe and that traders don’t cause a disturbance, obstruct walkways and lines of sight at road junctions or the ability of other businesses to trade.
When street trading is managed well, it adds variety and vibrancy to the local area, as well as creating jobs and allowing entrepreneurs the opportunity to start their businesses.
Last year the Licensing Committee reviewed the policy and we are now seeking your views on making some changes to the list of areas where applications for street trading can be made.
More Information
In the policy, a number of streets and areas in the borough are designated as locations considered generally suitable for a permanent location to sell items and where applications for trading on the street will be looked at.
Applications from these areas are not guaranteed to be successful, and all applications for street trading licences are subject to consultation. If an application is successful the licence can be granted for up to three years.
Applications for locations which are not in a designated area set out in the policy can be granted a temporary street trading permit lasting up to six months.
In 2023 the Council’s Licensing Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the Street Trading Policy during its first three years of operation and recognised that it has been a challenging period for many businesses.
This review highlighted a number of changes that could be made to the designated areas where applications for street trading from pitches can be made.
We want to seek your views on making some changes to the designated areas.
As all applications in the last few years in the following two locations have not been successful, we are proposing to remove them from the list of designated areas:
- Union Street, in Kingston town centre
- Church Street, in Kingston town centre (and therefore also Memorial Square)
Please note that existing licences in these locations will be permitted and renewed if requested (subject to consultation and the correct process)
We have received enquiries from businesses interested in trading in the following locations and propose to add them to the list of designated areas where we will consider applications from:
- Areas of the footpath on the riverside through Kingston as shown in red on the map below
- The Crossways, at the junction of Raeburn Avenue and Warren Drive North, in Tolworth.
The Licensing Committee is proposing to add these areas to the list of designated areas where we will consider applications from in order to increase opportunities and support businesses trading here.
Share your views in our feedback form below.
How to get in touch with us
If you have any questions, or need any of the information in a different format, please email licensing@kingston.gov.uk or call the council's contact centre on 020 8547 5000 and ask for someone in the licensing team to call you back.
Why your views matter
Your views on the proposed changes will help us to make a final decision on the areas included in the policy.
The removal of some streets will avoid prospective traders making applications in an area where they are unlikely to be successful. Expansion of street trading in other areas, aims to support trading where there is likely to be minimal impact to nearby residents.
All street trading applications are subject to public consultation and, where objections are made, are considered by our Licensing Sub-Committee.
We will use your responses to develop the final Street Trading Policy. The updated policy will then be considered at the Licensing Committee in October 2024.
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
Interests
- Community safety
- Planning
- Economic Development and Tourism
- Business
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook