Street Collection Permit

Information about street collections including a definition of a 'public place'.

It is illegal in this country to hold a Street Collection in a street or public place to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes without obtaining a Street Collection permit from the Council. A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has access'.

It is often assumed that collections held in shop doorways or car parks do not need a Street Collection Permit because they are being held on 'privately owned land'. This is not true, as the legislation does not mention the ownership of the land or treat collections on 'privately owned land' as exempt from the licensing regulations. A shop doorway or car park, when that shop is open for trading, is a 'public place' because the public has access to it at that time.

No other licence would be valid. A Pedlars Licence, issued by the Police cannot be used for this purpose. Only Local Authorities issue Street Collection Permits under Section 5 of the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1916, as amended by the Local Government Act 1972 and Schedule 29 of that Act.

There is no cost for the issuing of a permit but there are rules to be followed.

• Street Collections are usually made by Charities.
• Collections within the borough of Solihull are only permitted on Saturdays.
• Money must be collected in a sealed container.
• The organiser must submit a return within one month of the collection taking place.

There are regulations, which govern this type of collection. Consents are restricted to enable charities to raise money without their collections clashing with those of other charities.

The purpose of the legal requirement to obtain consent is to ensure collectors are properly authorised and that money is collected in a secure way and the total proceeds collected are properly accounted for.

How to Apply for a Permit

Contact Details

For more information please contact Licensing:

Licensing
Central Depot
Moat Lane
Solihull
B91 2LW

Telephone: 0121 704 6830
Fax: 0121 704 6888
Email: licensing@solihull.gov.uk

We will respond to any request for advice within the following time frame

• Telephone calls - 95% answered
• Telephone messages - responded to within two working days
• Personal callers - initial consultation at Solihull Connect or Central Depot, Moat Lane and a further appointment will be made if necessary
• Email responded to within one working day
• Letters and faxes responded to within five working days from receipt