Modernising street trading and pedlar law

In 2008 the government commissioned Durham University to look at the way that licensing and enforcement practices were applied. On publication of the research in 2009, we announced a full public consultation on national guidance and options for possible legislative change to street trading and pedlary laws.

The UK and Scottish governments are consulting on proposals for amending and modernising the law applying to the control of street trading and the certification of pedlars.

We want your views on the following main areas:

• ways of making the street trading and pedlary regulatory system more proportionate and effective
• providing local authorities with additional enforcement options for illegal street trading
• updating the Pedlars Act 1871 to modernise the certification scheme and the definition of a pedlar
• consider introducing a way for local authorities might exert proportionate limits on certified pedlar activity in designated areas
• options for revoking the Pedlars Acts and providing for adequate regulation of itinerant traders within the street trading system
• draft guidance on applying the current system in England and Wales for enforcement officers, street traders and pedlars looking at what acceptable street trading and pedlary practice is