Hammersmith and Fulham Council has officially adopted a new policy to regulate markets and street trading, aiming to foster a more vibrant, consistent, and safe trading environment across the borough.
The new Markets and Street Trading Licensing Policy, approved by the Full Council on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, sets out a clear framework for managing street trading activities, including markets, isolated pitches, shop front trading, and trading on private land. The policy comes into effect on August 1, 2026.
Councillor Zarar Qayyum, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, moved the adoption of the policy, highlighting its importance in supporting local businesses and economic growth. This policy is about far more than licensing,
Councillor Qayyum stated. It's about backing our traders, it's about supporting small businesses, and it's about investing in the future of our local economy.
He added, Our traders are entrepreneurs. They're small business owners. They work long hours. They trade in all weathers. They take risks, create opportunities, and help keep our town centers alive. There are people we should be backing. These are the people we should be backing, and this administration is doing so.
The policy aims to attract and retain traders and remove the barriers they face, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing a clear and consistent framework for regulating street trading activities.
Councillor Lydia Paynter spoke in favour of the policy, emphasizing its role in supporting small businesses. This policy recognises the economic challenges that traders and markets have faced across the country and reflects this administration's commitment to attracting and retaining traders, supporting vibrant markets and showcasing the value of markets within their local communities,
she said. The policy envisions better market spaces, better infrastructure, greenery, seating, and access to electric power.
Councillor Paynter mentioned that We've invested almost £2 million into improvements to the North End Road alone, including creating seating areas, replacing paving and curbs and improving market pitches.
The council aims for a licensing system that is fair, transparent, and consistent,
providing a clear and consistent framework for regulating street trading activities. All applications will be considered individually on their own merits in accordance with the policy. For appeals against a decision to refuse a licence, applicants must make a written appeal to the Council, setting out the reasons why they believe the refusal is unwarranted. The decision will then be reviewed at a Licensing Sub Committee meeting. For temporary street trading licences, there is no statutory right of appeal, but appeals can be made through the Council Complaints Procedure.
The new policy also addresses environmental sustainability, promoting recycling, reducing single-use plastics, and encouraging the use of electric power over diesel or petrol generators to improve air quality. Licence holders must comply with laws, bans, and restrictions surrounding single-use plastics or switch to reusable, biodegradable options. Applications from traders who wish to use diesel or petrol generators will not be accepted, and all market traders should adopt environmentally friendly practices, where practical, including the use of electric supply points where available.
The council's strategy for enforcement involves regular inspections by the Markets and Street Trading Team and other authorised officers to ensure compliance with licence terms and conditions. These inspections may be unannounced and can involve other agencies. Enforcement actions range from verbal and written warnings to fixed penalty notices, cautions, seizure of goods, licence variation or revocation, and prosecution, with actions being proportionate to the breach.
A fee is payable for granting or renewing a street trading licence, which must be paid at the time of application. A full list of fees and changes can be found on the council's website at: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/business/markets/street-and-market-trading-fees. Fees and charges will be reviewed yearly in consultation with interested parties.
Councillor Dominic Stanton, Opposition Whip, expressed support for the policy and thanked the officers for their work.
The policy also outlines ambitions for creating new opportunities, such as nighttime economy markets and riverside street trading hubs.
