Hello
I am looking for advice from the many more experienced crafters. I am looking to sell at craft markets and agricultural shows this year but I am confused about the requirements for a trading licence. Some shows seem to require me to have one, others don’t mention it.
Can anyone clarify what situations I should have a trading licence for and how I go about getting one?
Much appreciated.
I’ve never done a craft market that has required me to have a trading licence, insurance yes but a licence no. You would need to contact the local council to clarify if they would need you to have a licence and how to apply for one (it can vary from council to council). You could also contact the organisers and ask them to clarify as it might be that food sellers or those doing amusements (bouncy castles etc) would need licences/ certificates that you would not need.
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The same as Sasha, I’ve done a lot of craft fairs that require public liability insurance but I’ve never come across one that needed a trading licence.
I’ve done a bit more digging and my local council (Cambridge) requires you to apply for a licence (which is free here) if I were to apply for a stall at the big daily market (regardless of what I was selling). The licence is just their way of making sure you know what the rules of the market are and agree to abide by them and have the appropriate insurance/ safety certificates if applicable. I’ve only ever done the markets/ events that have been organised by other groups so presumably they have applied to the council to get premission to run the event and that means I don’t have to. So I think you would need to double check with the organisers about the licence and then apply to the local council if you need one.
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You should only need Insurance unless your selling food or Alcohol then that’s probably when you need a licence.
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You only need a license if you are selling food and drink, this is to show you have all the hygiene and food preperation certificates etc.
If you do crafts you only need to have public liability insurance, the larger the show the more cover you need, usually 5million is enough for most, tho some might want 10million.
I use National Market Traders Federation which covers me for all the different types of events, you also get lots of other benefits.
Thanks for all the replies. It has put my mind more at ease about it all. I shall get in touch with the organisers and see what they say, no food or alcohol so I assume I probably don’t need it after all.
Thanks so much 
I know this post is a couple of years old but all traders need PLI.
The organisers of the event have to apply to the council for a licence for people to trade if the premises doesn’t have a licence for trading.
I run Leeds Steampunk Market and do 5 weekends a year in Leeds, Bradford and Halifax.
People doing edibles need loads of other paperwork as well, anyone selling anything that involves alcohol need a Personal Licence and the venue needs a TENS (temporary event notice) naming all sellers of alcohol to be named on it.
Selling hand made soaps is another minefield tbh!
If anyone is interested in trading at my events I’m on Facebook - just look for me by my name or by Leeds Steampunk Market.
Jo Dee Burgoyne-Neal.
Thanks jo
I am looking to set up a small stall, to go all around the country, Spring to Autumn at different country shows ect…have no clue where to begin, but it will be a new adventure…I wasnt sure about getting permits, ect, til I read your post…
As I wonlt exactly be making a fortune, and its not a business…
very helpful comment…cheers
If you are making to sell, I’m afraid HMRC regards you as a business, even if you don’t make a profit. You may need to register with them. If you phone them they are very helpful, when you eventually get through.
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Hello everyone
I’m looking at going to a trade show or market shortly. I make handmade cards, please can you advise what I would require to do this
What you will need for a trade show (where you would be taking larger orders at wholesale prices) will be different to a general craft market (where you are selling direct to the customer). For a trade show you would need to have samples of your range, a wholesale price list, a leaflet with details of minimum order volumes/ lead times etc, order forms. For a general craft markets you can get lots of tips on the blog including the sort of things you need to take with you
http://blog.folksy.com/category/seller-tips/craft-fair-advice
What you need in terms of insurance will depend on the fair organisers and they should state these requirements on the application form.
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Ok thanks @SashaGarrett I will be looking to sell direct to the customer. I’ll have a look at the blog post you have reccommended.
Thanks
Rebecca