Market traders in Westminster could see their weekend pitch fees rise by up to 90 per cent if proposals by the Central London council get the green light. Changes would increase daily pitch fees almost across the board, with Saturday charges rising from £22 to £42 for some traders.
The proposals would also see the cost of permanent licences jump up to £964 in the borough. Westminster City Council officers told the Licensing Committee that they were currently running a deficit of around £2.4 million across their street trading budget.
Council deficit and consultation
Even with the price increases the council would still be facing a £1.6 million black hole across the portfolio. The local authority is currently analysing responses to a consultation which finished at the end of September. Any approved changes will come into force in January 2027.
One market trader told the Licensing Committee that the council is asking for “an enormous amount of money.”
“There is a state of emergency virtually in this country with the economy. All of our produce has gone up,” she said. “Yes, there needs to be an increase. You have to make a living, money for the council and we have to make money, but frankly it is too much.”
Impact on different markets
Another vendor, who trades on Berwick Street, said: “It is too b****y soon to be posing costs this high on traders who are really struggling to get through.” Vendors in Westminster currently pay a daily pitch fee of £22 to the council.
Under the new proposals, these charges would be different depending on the day of the week, location and the type of produce being sold. Hot food and takeaway traders in Berwick Street and Strutton Ground will be worst hit by the changes. They will see their daily charge rise to between £39 to £44 depending on which day they are trading.
Maida Hill Market traders will see the least increase to their fees, with hot food and takeaway vendors set to pay between £31 and £36 each day of the week. Non-food traders will pay the lowest amount in their area, followed by fresh food and finally hot food and takeaways.
Licence fee changes
Administration costs are also set to balloon for people who do not yet have a permanent licence to trade at Westminster markets. Currently a new licence to sell non-food items costs £96, with a 50 per cent discount for new businesses and 20 per cent for Westminster residents.
Under the proposals this would increase to a whopping £964, although the cost of varying current licences would drop. Isolated pitch licence fees would also decrease – by nearly 60 per cent for some types of traders.
Temporary licences and casual trader registration would be less expensive than a permanent licence. A five per cent discount for those who pay by direct debit will continue under the scheme, as well as reductions for the seasonal trade of ice cream. A spokesperson for the council has not yet provided the Local Democracy Reporting Service with a comment.
