Licence

Market operators licence (Scotland)

You need a market operators licence if you run a private market (including car boot sales, craft fairs and fêtes) in Scotland

Apply for this licence

For example SW1A 2AA

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You might need a market operators licence from the council to run a private market (including car boot sales, craft fairs and fêtes) in Scotland.

Exemptions

You might not need a licence if you’re running the following types of markets.

Charity and community events

You might not need a licence if the market is not being run for private profit. For example:

  • car boot sale in aid of a charity
  • craft fair or fête run by a community or faith group

Livestock, fodder or grain markets

You don’t need a market operators licence if the market is only for the sale of livestock (eg a cattle market), fodder or grain.

Conditions

There may be conditions added to your licence, including:

  • opening times
  • availability of toilets
  • layout of the market
  • public safety

How to apply

Contact your council to apply for a licence. You will have to pay a fee.

You may need to put a notice up near the proposed site for a few weeks.