If you’d like to run a privately operated market in Hackney, you’ll need to be licensed by the Council. This page will provide you with the information that you need to run your market in Hackney. If you have any further questions, email markets.service@hackney.gov.uk.
Who needs a private operator licence?
If you’re a market operator looking to run a market in Hackney, whether on public or private land, you’ll need a private operator licence. The traders at your market must also apply for a markets and street trading licence. You’ll need to discuss this with us during the application process.
Before you apply
You’re allowed to sell a range of commodities in Hackney, most of which fit into the categories listed in the commodity regulations (PDF 410kb). It’s not an exhaustive list – we’ll consider items that are not on the list.
There are some items which are prohibited and should not be traded in markets in Hackney. These include stolen goods, suspected stolen goods, counterfeit or pirated goods, and unsafe goods. All goods sold must comply with current safety regulations.
If you’re operating a food business in Hackney, you must be registered with the Council. It’s free and you can start trading before your inspection.
To register your food business and to get more information, see Register a food business.
Council officers will visit the site, offering support and ensuring you’re complying to your terms and conditions.
If there are any breaches or contraventions, we’ll work on an ‘engage and educate’ basis before any enforcement action.
If we have to take enforcement action you, it could mean we won’t renew your operator licence in the future, and it could mean a referral to the officer licensing panel asking for additional conditions, variation or your licence potentially being revoked.
Apply for / renew a temporary or permanent private operator licence
To apply for a private operator licence, download and complete the form below and submit it with all supporting documents.
- application form fully completed, signed and dated
- a photocopy of one of the documents below as proof of identity:
- copy of your passport
- current full UK/EU photo-card driving licence
- a photocopy of one of the documents below as proof of home address:
- recent utility bill dated within the last three months (e.g. gas, phone, water, electricity, council tax),mobile phone bills are not accepted
- bank statement (dated within the last three months)
- credit card statement (dated within the last three months)
- a photocopy of one of the documents below as proof of National Insurance number:
- a copy of your National Insurance card
- Inland Revenue document
- tax statement
- benefits agency document
- pay slip
- P45 or P60
- a copy of your public liability insurance (PDF 118kb) certificate – minimum cover of £10 million (Public liability insurance cover should specifically cover trading activities on the public highway)
- one full face photograph of the applicant taken within the last 12 months (this does not have to be an official passport style photo, any appropriate digital photo will be accepted – print the full name of the applicant on the reverse of each photograph; if you are sending documents by email then send a scanned copy)
- a non-refundable application/licence fee to cover administration costs – fees and charges list (google doc); to make payments by phone call 020 8356 5300.
Apply
To apply for a private operator licence, download the application form below:
Once you have completed the application, submit it along with the necessary documentation to markets.hackney.gov.uk. You can also send it by post or in person to:
Address: Markets and Street Trading Office, First Floor, 51-63 Ridley Road, London E8 2NP.
Bohemia Place
Hackney, London E8 1DU
Growing Communities farmers’ market
St Paul’s Church, Stoke Newington Road, London N16 7UY
Westgate Street Market
London Fields Primary School, Westgate Street, London E8 3RU
Netil Market
13-23 Westgate Street, London E8 3RL
After you apply
We review and process applications within 10 working days. If you’re unsuccessful, we will explain why or what you need to do to help us process your application.
When making a temporary licence application you may be asked to attend an interview. We’ll contact you to arrange a suitable date and time.
We review renewals (to ensure all documents have been supplied) and process them within 7 working days.
Further reading
Page updated on: 18 April 2024