Street trading query

novaboy80

Hi everyone.
I am a photographer, have been into photography most of my life and have recently turned my passion into a source of income. I have done photoshoots for people and have some bookings for communions too.
I have registered for income tax through an accountant and acquired public liability insurance.
My question is, what are the laws and regulations in Ireland regarding Street trading? Can I set up a portable stall on the footpath and start doing business there?
Any pointers / answers/advice very welcome.
Thanks in advance.

jimmii

Contact your council. Locations are likely to be limited and you will presumably a casual traders licence.

novaboy80

Thanks, I sent them an email same day you replied, was told my query was passed on to whoever was deemed suitable to give me an answer and that he'd be contacting me directly. A week later and still nothing.

jimmii

novaboy80 wrote: »

Thanks, I sent them an email same day you replied, was told my query was passed on to whoever was deemed suitable to give me an answer and that he'd be contacting me directly. A week later and still nothing.

A week isn't that long to wait on the council to be honest! I'm waiting two months for them to get back to me about rates figured they would be on that super quick! Maybe give them a ring and check up on it they might be able to give you a realistic time line.

Chiorino

novaboy80 wrote: »

Hi everyone.
I am a photographer, have been into photography most of my life and have recently turned my passion into a source of income. I have done photoshoots for people and have some bookings for communions too.
I have registered for income tax through an accountant and acquired public liability insurance.
My question is, what are the laws and regulations in Ireland regarding Street trading? Can I set up a portable stall on the footpath and start doing business there?
Any pointers / answers/advice very welcome.
Thanks in advance.

The regulations are governed by the Casual Trading Act but many areas also have their own individual bye laws (these can be found online quite easily). Each locality has a number of "designated trading areas" from which only licence holders can trade. As another poster mentioned, it can take a while, if at all, to get one of these as they do not become available very often.

novaboy80

A year will have past soon enough and still no reply from County council!

redbel05

novaboy80 wrote: »

A year will have past soon enough and still no reply from County council!

My personal experience with the council and street trading would be that there are designated trading areas in most towns and you apply for a casual trading license to set up stall there. My experience is all with Donegal County council and their info is here: http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/planning/casualtrading/

Each county council has different bye-laws about casual trading, but I am surprised that they don't have a section with info on their website similar to the one above.

Jonny303

novaboy80 wrote: »

A year will have past soon enough and still no reply from County council!

Did you follow up with phone calls?

Chiorino

novaboy80 wrote: »

A year will have past soon enough and still no reply from County council!

Which council did you apply to?