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.
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. This letter must be on the charity's headed paper and must also include the name, address and telephone number of the organiser.
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; due to high demand, we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
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 (Any collectors wishing to collect in the Southgate area of Bath must first obtain permission from the Southgate Manager).
Collections for Midsomer Norton are not authorised on the pedestrianised area outside Sainsbury's/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.
Big Issue sellers have agreed pitches at the following locations in Bath, so you you should avoid collecting in the same area:
- 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
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