Market trading conditions and electricity usage

Trading conditions

Conditions vary from market to market but generally guidelines are as follows:

• traders should trade at the location and within the diameters of the pitch size stated on the licence and stall card
• gangways and pavements must not be obstructed
• traders must be courteous and respectful to members of the public, other businesses, residents and officials 
• ensure the items sold are safe and compliant
• traders must have public liability insurance for the duration of their licence
• traders should display a stall card while trading
• refuse should be disposed of responsibly. All traders have a duty of care to keep the public highway undamaged and well maintained
• all vehicles should be out of the market during market operation times
• all payment of fees must be up to date. 

Conditions specific to food traders

• all licensed food traders shall achieve and maintain for the duration of their licence a Food Hygiene Rating Standard of 3 or higher
• to avoid possible contamination, food must not be placed directly onto the floor 
• food handlers are required to wear clean protective over-clothing when handling unwrapped food
• where high-risk food is handled there must be good hand washing facilities. These must include a basin or sink with a supply of hot and cold water 
• the food business operator must carry out a fire risk assessment
• appropriate fire extinguishers must be provided and checked every 12 months. 

Market operating times for full-market traders

Holders of full-market trading licences can set up their stalls two hours before the market opens to the public.

Electricity usage

Electricity is only supplied at Whitecross Street and Chapel Market.

• we provide, at a charge, connection cables for traders to use 
• electricity charges are incorporated within the monthly fees – there is no extra cost
• electrical power must only be used for the purpose of lighting and the operation of electrical scales and tills, or other agreed services
• traders will be requested to complete a form to declare appliances to be used - see Useful documents, below.

If you need to use a mobile electrical generator, you must get agreement from us first. If approved, it must be positioned so that:

• it is not a danger to the passing public
• it is not a fire hazard to the stall or goods 
• it does not create a noise or fume nuisance
• inflammable fuel is stored away from the stall in London Fire Brigade-approved containers. 

More in-depth information on our standard trading conditions and our street trading procedures and guidelines can be downloaded from 'Useful documents' below.