16 August 2026
Street Trading Licence Brighton: Zones, Fees, and How Brighton's System Works (2026)
Brighton & Hove uses a two-zone street trading system — Zone A (city centre static pitches) and Zone B (mobile traders outside the centre). Here's how the system works, current fees, and the reality of waiting lists.
Brighton & Hove City Council operates a two-zone street trading system that's distinctly different from most UK councils. The city centre (Zone A) has exactly five static pitches available. Outside the centre (Zone B), mobile traders like ice cream vans and burger vans can operate — but Zone B currently operates a waiting list. Here's how Brighton's system works, what it costs, and what to expect if you're trying to get a pitch.
Brighton's Two Zones
Brighton uses a geographic split that determines not just the fees you pay but what kind of trading is even permitted.
Zone A: City Centre Static Pitches
Zone A covers the city centre and has exactly five static pitch locations:
- Clarence Square
- Marlborough Street
- Crown Street
- Castle Street
- Dean Street
Each pitch is approximately 50 square feet. Mobile trading is prohibited in Zone A — it's static pitches only. There are no other available spots; the five locations are fixed.
Zone A fee (2026/27): £5,410 per year (£1,352.50 per quarter), payable quarterly on 1 April, 1 July, 1 October, and 1 January.
The waiting list for Zone A static pitches is approximately three to four years. The council operates a first-come-first-served queue; vacancies are rare given the fixed number of pitches.
Zone B: Mobile Trading Outside the Centre
Zone B covers everything outside the city centre and is the zone relevant for most mobile food operators — ice cream vans, burger vans, and similar mobile caterers. Unlike Zone A, Zone B allows mobile trading: consents here permit trading on the highway from a vehicle, provided trading doesn't cause nuisance, obstruction, or danger to the public.
Zone B fee (2026/27): £790 per year (£197.50 per quarter).
Zone B is also currently at capacity with a waiting list. The council is not granting new consents for Zone B mobile trading while the waiting list remains open.
Upper Gardner Street
Upper Gardner Street has its own fee category, separate from Zone A and Zone B:
Upper Gardner Street fee (2026/27): £650 per year (£162.50 per quarter).
Specialist Trading Categories
Brighton also has consent categories for specialist traders:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Street artists (East Street, Duke Street, or Market Street) | £39/month |
| Hot chestnut sellers (Duke Street or Market Street, 1 Nov–10 Jan) | £39/month |
| Small street markets | £390 per occasion |
| Farmers markets | £270 per stall per year |
Street artists must sell only paintings or artwork created on-site — not pre-made prints.
How Brighton's Consents Work
Brighton issues street trading consents rather than licences for most traders. The framework comes from Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, which Brighton & Hove has adopted. As consent streets, the council has discretion over who is granted permission — there is no statutory right of appeal if a consent is refused.
Brighton's Street Trading Policy (approved December 2010, effective June 2011) governs how the council manages this discretion.
Applying for a Brighton Street Trading Consent
- Review the guidance notes on Brighton's street trading options page and guidance and policy page
- Complete the application form — available from the council
- Join the waiting list — given current capacity, most applications go straight onto a waiting list; payment and supporting documents are only required once a pitch becomes available
- For food sales: You must register as a food business with Brighton's food safety team before trading; a food hygiene qualification and vehicle inspection are both mandatory
Contact the Environmental Health Licensing team at ehl.licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk for the current application form and to ask about waiting list position.
The Seafront, Parks, and Open Spaces
Brighton's seafront and parks are a specific focus for enforcement. Unlicensed mobile traders operating on seafronts, parks, and open spaces face active enforcement action by Brighton & Hove. If you're planning to trade near the beach or in a park without a consent, expect enforcement contact.
Pedlar Certificates in Brighton
Pedlar certificates in Brighton are issued by Sussex Police (not the council). A pedlar certificate allows an individual to trade while genuinely mobile — carrying goods and approaching customers without stopping to set up a stall or vehicle. Food sales are not permitted under a pedlar certificate in Brighton, and the certificate doesn't authorise operating a food truck or static pitch.
What This Means for Food Truck Operators
The honest picture for a food truck operator looking at Brighton:
- Zone A is static-pitch-only with a 3–4 year waiting list
- Zone B mobile is at capacity with a waiting list
- Event trading at Brighton events on private sites doesn't require a Brighton street trading consent — the event organiser's own arrangements cover the site
- Seafront enforcement is active — don't trade near the beach without a consent
For operators targeting Brighton, the practical near-term path is usually private event trading or approaching Brighton market operators rather than applying directly for street trading consents.
For how Brighton's fees compare to other UK cities, see the street trading licence costs guide. For the general consent vs licence distinction and what it means for your rights, see the street trading consent guide. For the step-by-step application process that applies across most councils, see the how to apply guide.
Fees shown are for 2026/27 as published by Brighton & Hove City Council. All fees are reviewed annually. Verify current fees and waiting list status with the council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.
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