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Market operator licence

If you want to run a private market, you must have a market operator licence.

A private market is any market (indoors or outdoors) run by someone who is not a local or public authority, where more than one seller offers goods for sale to the public. This includes car boot sales that are not for charitable purposes.

Exemptions

You don't need a licence if your market falls into one of the following categories:

  • Markets held only for the sale of livestock, fodder or grain
  • Events run by a charitable organisation, including markets where individual stallholders promote their own businesses, this includes:
    • Religious organisations
    • Youth groups
    • Recreational clubs
    • Community groups
    • Political organisations
    • Any other similar organisations

Before you apply

You must get the prior, written consent of the landowner to operate the market. You may also need permission under planning legislation to operate the market.

We may ask you to provide a layout plan of the market, which must be drawn to scale. We will do this, if we think it is appropriate, once you have submitted your application to us.

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Conditions

You must be a fit and proper person and not be disqualified from holding a licence.

You must not have had an application refused for the same licence within the 12 months prior to making your application, unless you have had a material change in circumstances.

We may set conditions on your licence. These can include:

  • The days and hours the market can operate
  • The provision of adequate toilet facilities
  • The layout of the site or premises on which the market will be held
  • Measures to ensure public safety and order

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Application fee

The fee for a market operator licence is £294. The fee must be paid at the same time the application for the licence is lodged with us otherwise we won't be able to progress it. The fee is non-refundable.

You can pay by either:

Unfortunately we are unable to accept payment by BACs, cheques or cash.

How to apply

You can apply by completing the market operator application form (PDF 226KB). 

Please send your completed form by email to licapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or by post to (please note physical mail is only checked once a week):

Aberdeenshire Council
Legal and People
Viewmount
Arduthie Road
Stonehaven
AB39 2DQ

If you are unable to complete the form, please call us and we will assist you to apply over the telephone.

Displaying a site notice

You must display the appropriate site notice (PDF 85KB) at the same time as lodging your licence application. This must be displayed at the location from which your business is to operate, for a period of 21 days.

After this, you must submit a certificate of compliance (PDF 69KB) to us, stating that the site notice was correctly displayed, or explaining why you were unable to display the site notice.

If you don't provide the necessary information and documentation we will not be able to process the application.

Application process

You are not permitted to operate a business as a market operator, until you have a market operator licence.

We will review your application and documents and share these with our consultees.

If there are no objections your licence will be issued under delegated authority.

If there are objections, your application will be referred to the relevant council committee for a decision.

Duration of the licence

If granted, your licence will come into effect on the date specified on the licence. Licences are normally granted for 3 years, unless a shorter period is specified.