Vacant Street Trading Consent pitches

How vacant pitch applications are decided

Applications for vacant Street Trading Consent pitches are accepted during a published four-week application period from Friday 10 April 2026 to Sunday 10 May 2026.  Each application is subject to consultation.

If only one valid application is received for a pitch, it will be determined in line with the Street Trading Policy.

If more than one valid application is received for the same pitch, the applications will usually be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee. Members will consider each application on its merits and may use a scoring framework to help compare competing applications fairly and consistently.

Apply for a vacant Street Trading Consent pitch

The Licensing Team is inviting applications for a number of vacant Street Trading Consent pitches.

Applications for vacant pitches will be accepted during a four-week application period. Details of the pitches available include:

• Woodlands Avenue Layby, Woodley 
• King Street Lane, Winnersh 
• Milestone Ave, Charvil 

Street Trading Consents are a way of allowing trading to take place on or near a highway where it is appropriate to do so. When considering applications, the Council must have regard to matters such as the likely impact on highway users, nearby residents and businesses, the nature of the trade, proposed trading times, appearance, and the impact on the street scene.

Before you apply

Before submitting an application, applicants should carefully consider whether the proposed trade is suitable for the pitch and the surrounding area.

In assessing applications, the Council will consider matters including:

• the likely impact on existing highway users, including customers visiting the pitch;
• the location relative to nearby residents or businesses likely to be affected;
• the nature of the trade proposed;
• the proposed trading times;
• the appearance of the stall, vehicle or pitch; and
• the impact on the street scene.

Some pitches may be more suitable for certain types of trade than others. For example, a location that is suitable in the evening may not be suitable during the day, and some forms of trading may be more likely to give rise to odours, noise, or visual impact.

Applicants should also note that, in accordance with the Council’s Street Trading Policy, the maximum number of Street Trading Consents that a trader or business may use at any one time within the Borough of Wokingham is one.

• Street Trader Policy.pdf 

Application fees and withdrawals

To apply, a fee of £350 is initially payable, the full cost of a Street Trading Consent is £1,775.

If an application submitted during the advertised application window is withdrawn or refused by the Licensing Sub-Committee, the Council may retain £350 of the application fee to cover administrative, consultation, and hearing costs already incurred. 

For a successful application, the remainder of the Street Trading Consent Fee will be required on grant: £1,425

How to apply

• Application for Street Trading Consent
• Street Trading Assistant Nomination Form

You must submit completed application forms, along with a location map indicating where the stall or vehicle is to be sited, and the appropriate fee to:

Licensing, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN 
or email them to: Licensing@wokingham.gov.uk

Applications must be submitted during the published application window of Friday 10 April 2026 to Sunday 10 May 2026.

Applicants will need to provide a completed application form together with any supporting information required by the Council.

Depending on the type of trade proposed, this may include documents relating to identity, eligibility to trade, food hygiene, public liability insurance, landowner permission, safety certification, and any other information reasonably required to assess the application.

Only complete applications submitted within the application period will be considered.

What happens after you apply

Initial officer assessment

When a new application is received, licensing officers will first carry out an initial assessment of:

• the potential suitability of the site;
• the proposed hours of operation; and
• the nature of the trade proposed.

If officers consider that the application is potentially suitable, the application will proceed to consultation.

Consultation

Applications will normally be subject to a 28-day consultation period.

As part of that process, the Licensing Team may consult with relevant bodies, including:

• Highways;
• Planning;
• Environmental Health;
• Ward Members and, where applicable, the relevant Town or Parish Council; and
• Thames Valley Police.

Applicants for new pitches must also display a public notice at the proposed trading site throughout the consultation period. The Council will provide the required wording once a valid application has been received. If the notice is not displayed correctly for the full consultation period, the consultation may need to be restarted.

If there is only one application for a pitch

If only one valid application is received for a vacant pitch, the application will be determined in accordance with the Council’s Street Trading Policy, taking into account the consultation responses and all relevant information provided.

If the application is considered suitable and there are no unresolved objections, the Council may grant the Consent, which may in some cases be subject to a trial period.

A trial period allows the Council to review how the pitch operates in practice before a longer-term position is confirmed.

If there is more than one application for the same pitch

Where more than one valid application is received for the same vacant pitch, the matter will usually be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination.

In those circumstances, the Sub-Committee will consider each application on its individual merits in accordance with the Street Trading Policy.

To help Members compare competing applications fairly and consistently, the Council will also use a scoring framework. This framework reflects the key policy considerations and allows Members to compare applications using a maximum score of 120 points.

Scoring summary

• Likely impact on existing highway users – up to 25 points
• Location relative to residents or businesses likely to be affected – up to 25 points
• Nature of the trade – up to 15 points
• Trading times – up to 15 points
• Appearance and impact upon the street scene – up to 20 points
• Additional supporting factors relevant to suitability, responsible operation, and compliance readiness – up to 20 points

Maximum total score: 120 points

Additional supporting factors may include, where relevant to the application, the quality and completeness of supporting information such as food hygiene qualifications, food business registration details, public safety documentation, waste arrangements, and other information demonstrating compliance readiness and responsible operation.

The scoring framework is intended to assist decision-making, but it does not remove the Sub-Committee’s discretion. Members will continue to consider all relevant circumstances and may depart from the highest score where there is a clear and reasoned basis for doing so.

Hearings

Where objections are received and cannot be resolved, or where there are competing applications for the same pitch, the application may be determined at a hearing of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

Applicants will be advised of the hearing arrangements and will be given the opportunity to put forward their case.

The Sub-Committee may decide to:

• grant the application;
• grant the application subject to conditions or a trial period; or
• refuse the application.

The decision will be based on the Council’s Street Trading Policy, the application itself, consultation responses, and any representations made at the hearing.

Important points for applicants

• Submitting an application does not guarantee that a Consent will be granted.
• Applicants should ensure that all supporting documents are provided promptly and accurately.
• A trader or business may not hold more than one Street Trading Consent in the Borough at the same time.
• If more than one person applies for the same pitch, the Council may compare applications using a scoring framework before Members reach a final decision.
• New sites may be granted for a limited trial period before a longer-term position is confirmed.

How to get help

If you would like advice before making an application, please contact the Licensing Team:

• Tel: 0118 974 6000
• Email: Licensing@wokingham.gov.uk

The team can provide guidance on:

• whether a pitch may be suitable for street trading;
• the documents you need to provide;
• how the consultation process works; and
• what happens if there are objections or competing applications.