East Devon District Council’s Street Trading Policy Consultation
Have your say on the following consultation
The current Street Trading policy was adopted in 2017 following extensive public consultation. The Street trading policy has proved effective over the last 5 years and it now requires updating since it was initially implemented.
Street trading includes stalls at outdoor events, street stalls, street markets, outdoor markets, festivals, roadside food vans and food vans in car parks (including supermarket car parks). In fact, anything where someone is selling goods on the streets, or outside in pedestrian areas or open spaces constitutes street trading.
The new draft street trading policy supports a street trading experience that is diverse, vibrant and adds to the social and cultural fabric of East Devon while maintaining, protecting and enhancing our environment. The policy aims to ensure that it meets the needs of traders, residents, businesses and visitors to East Devon. An emphasis on safer street trading and the introduction of application and administrative fees are also proposed.
Proposals under the new draft street trading policy include to extend the period of time each year when seasonal craft items and non-food/drink trading may occur on The Esplanade, Sidmouth. This is currently restricted to one week during Sidmouth Folk Festival and new proposals would allow applications to be considered during a period annually from 1st May to 1st September only. It is proposed to change the designation of the Prohibited Streets in Sidmouth (where street trading is at all times forbidden by law) to designate as Consent Streets (where street trading is prohibited without the consent of East Devon District Council) as applications cannot be accepted for trading in those areas under the current street trading policy.
Ultimately, the aim is to retain a street trading environment which complements premises based trading, is sensitive to the needs of residents, provides diversity of consumer choice, and seeks to enhance the character and ambience of local environments and provide overall economic benefits.
To view the draft street trading policy, please visit the street trading page on the East Devon website Street Trading Policy Consultation 2023 - East Devon
The draft policy has been prepared by officers and has now been approved by the Licensing & Enforcement Committee for public consultation, closing on Sunday 26th February 2023 at midnight. All responses to this consultation need to be received in writing by either email:
