Would I need any special license to park my car at the side of a road and sell fruit and veg from it?

I would say yes..... not fair to people who are selling from shops paying rates.

There used to be a guy who did this on a lay-by at Norton on Sundays who I have bought off quite a few times. I was always most satisfied with the value/quality. Is he still there does anybody know?

Well as the land belongs to the Highway Authority or Local Authority wouldn't you be hawking?

I believe that those market traders at the top of Dixon lane used to trade for free for many years before the council finally caught up with them and made them pay rent.

Originally posted by Lickszz
There used to be a guy who did this on a lay-by at Norton on Sundays who I have bought off quite a few times. I was always most satisfied with the value/quality. Is he still there does anybody know?
On the outer ring road, yes he is, I passed by sun 4th, he was there:thumbsup:

Originally posted by Mo
I would say yes..... not fair to people who are selling from shops paying rates.
OK, BUT an ice cream van can park outside a shop that sells ice cream, quite legally, (subject to parking restrictions)

I have been there, seen it, done it:(
There is no such thing as a licence to trade from the local authority. Officials - highway dept, police will ask you if you have as the simplest way to move you on - they know that they are not issued. There ARE a few pitches for ice cream vending from local authority, they come up for tender once a year (ish) but do not imply a 'license to trade' on the public highway. (only that pitch)
It all boils down to this - you cannot trade on the public highway.
I had a continental crepes stand on ecclesall rd - on a particularly wide pavement area - the bit I rented belonged to the shop behind me (private property) three feet in front of me, side of the road would have been classed as public highway, and illegal.
You need to be trading on 'private' propery. APART from ice cream vans- they can park on the road and sell legally subject to parking restritions:confused: :confused: Yet, this is a public highway:loopy:
Whole thing is a minefield, full of contradictions.
I did this for a couple of years to fill a gap. Needs must. Glad to be out of it.:clap:
I know anice cream firm if you want to rent a van.... PM me

You do need a liscense to trade in a layby - you get one from the local council. There are many layby's in which it is illegal - or even dangerous - to trade in, and so it is best to find out through the proper channels. better doing that that getting arrested by a passing police car.

Also, I personally have always been wary of fruit and veg sold near or next to a main road - car exhausts will be coating the food with toxins throughout the day - and then someone's going to eat it! :!: But that's probably just me!!! :D Good luck anyway, and let us know how you get on!!

Little witch, any idea what department? I remember being told by an official 'you have to have a license, but they are no licenses, its a catch 22 situation'
All this is a long time ago, though, about 7 years. things might have changed

Well, on the way to Lincoln the other day, i passed several laybys, most of which said "it is illegal to trade from this layby" but others which said "lisensed traders only", then the name of the council underneath.
Probably your best bet is to chat to other traders in laybys - not the obvious opportunists, as they wont be able to help you - but the more permanent traders - i.e: greasy spoon cafes that work from a trailer.
The problem with the council is that it's more than anyone's job's worth to communicate with other departments and actually put you in touch with someone who can help you. But just keep persevering, and you'll get there!! Possibly pay them a visit with all the relevent info to hand for them to photocopy then lose.
Again, good luck!! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by LittleWitch
Also, I personally have always been wary of fruit and veg sold near or next to a main road - car exhausts will be coating the food with toxins throughout the day - and then someone's going to eat it! :!:


You mean the toxins that we have to inhale almost everywhere these days. Do these have a more detrimental effect if absorbed through our digestive system rather than our lungs. ?

The govt really should be looking at banning the internal comustion engine from public spaces...at least passive smoking can be avoided by the majority of people