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  • Local Police
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    0845 456 7000
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  • Page Updated:
    14/09/2007
  • Author:
    Lorna McCardle
A to Z Index

Pedlars

Obtaining a Pedlar Certificate

Pedlar certificates are issued by the local police on satisfaction of certain criteria by the applicant.

Please contact the local police on 0845 456 7000 if you require a certificate.

On issuing a certificate the police provide the following guidance:

  1. Pedlars trade as they travel, as distinct from someone who merely travels to trade, thus a person who sells from a portable stand in a street could not claim to be a pedlar.
  2. Pedlars must carry their goods, continually moving from area to area.
    Pushing a wheeled trolley is not acceptable.
  3. A pedlar must NOT regularly trade at the same pitch or set out goods on a stall or pitch.
  4. A pedlar certificate does NOT entitle you to street trade.

What is a Pedlar?

Pedlar is defined by the Pedlars Act 1871 as "... any hawker, pedlar, petty chapman, tinker, caster of metals, mender of chairs or other person who, without any horse of other beast bearing or drawing burden, travels and trades on foot and goes from town to town or to other men's houses carrying to sell or exposing for sale any goods, wares or merchandise, or procuring orders for goods, wares or merchandise immediately to be delivered, or selling or offering for sale his skill in handicraft."