Licence - Street Collections
When would I need one?
Any charity collections carried out in a public place (whether
or not it is a street) need a Street Collection permit by law.
Collections in a single pub or shop don’t need a permit – but to
collect in shop to shop or pub to pub would need a
House to House collection permit.
How do I apply?
Ring Licensing Services on 01225 396911 or email
licensing@bathnes.gov.uk.
This is to find out which days and times are free in the area
you want to collect and stop a ‘double-booking’ with another
charity.
Because of the high demand, collections in Bath city centre must
be either from 9.00 am -1.00 pm or from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
Collections anywhere else in Bath and North East Somerset can be
all day.
When a date and time has been agreed, send a letter clearly
setting out the place, date and time that you plan to collect. No
application form is needed, but please use your charity’s headed
paper.
If your application is successful, your permit will be sent to
you by post.
It is best to apply at least two weeks before the time you plan
to collect.
What are we allowed to do?
There are legal regulations for carrying out Street Collections,
which include what collectors must and must not do. A copy of these
regulations are sent to you with the permit.
Within one month of the collection, the Council must have
received a financial return (‘Form of Statement’) showing how much
money was collected and how much of this went to the charity.
It must also be signed by a qualified accountant. A blank Form of
Statement will be sent to you with your permit.
Collections for Bath city centre are authorised for the
following streets only:
- Milsom Street (below Quiet Street only)
- New Bond Street, Barton Street
- Northgate Street
- High Street
- Union Street
- Stall Street
- Abbey Churchyard
- Southgate
Collections for Midsomer Norton are not
authorised on the pedestrianised area outside Safeway/The
Hollies.
If you would like us to send you a copy of the Council's
Regulations or the Form of Statement for Street Collections
please email us on licensing@bathnes.gov.uk or
telephone 01225 396911.
Areas to Avoid
Big Issue sellers have agreed pitches at the following
locations in Bath, so you you should avoid collecting in the
same area:
- outside Waterstones, Milsom Street
- outside Natwest Bank, Milsom Street
- outside the Body Shop, Burton Street
- outside the Disney Store, Union Street
- between Pret a Manger and Costa, Stall Street
- between Abbey Churchyard and Kingston Parade
- outside HMV, Stall Street
- outside JJB Sports, High Street
- outside the Podium, Northgate Street
- outside Superdrug, Southgate
- outside BHS, Southgate
- opposite the YMCA, near the entrance to Waitrose car park,
Walcot Street (this is only used during the market on
Saturdays)
- on the footbridge behind the train station
- between the Bag shop and the back of Next, The Corridor
- outside Sainsbury’s Local, Saw Close
- at Ham Gardens
For further information on The Big Issue, please contact:
The Big Issue Southwest
1 - 2 Bridewell Lane
Bath
BA1 1EA
Telephone: 01225 337050
Email: emma@bigissuesouthwet.co.uk
Website: www.bigissuesouthwest.co.uk
