Fees for new market traders in central London could rise by up to 900% under proposals from Westminster City Council. The council is overhauling its fee structure for street traders, including a plan to increase the cost of applying for new permanent licences to £964 for non-food traders, up from the current £96.
If approved, this would represent a 904% increase for new non-food traders. Other costs, however, would fall, including fees for varying existing licences and isolated pitch licences.
Proposed fee changes and impact
The measures could affect traders in Soho, Westminster, Marylebone and Maida Vale. Daily pitch fees would rise almost across the board, with Saturday rates for some vendors jumping from £22 to £42. Weekend pitch fees could increase by up to 90%.
Traders in Berwick Street, Soho, and Strutton Ground, in the St James' area, would be worst hit, with hot food and takeaway vendors facing daily charges of between £39 and £44 depending on the day. Maida Hill Market traders would see the smallest increases, with hot food and takeaway vendors paying between £31 and £36 per day.
Council finances and trader concerns
The Conservative-led council is facing a £100m reduction in funding over the next three years following the Labour Government's Fair Funding Review. It announced last month it will lay off 520 staff, about 15% of its 3,720-strong workforce, to save £29 million. Council tax could rise by as much as 75% to plug the shortfall.
Officers told the council's licensing committee that the street trading budget is currently running a deficit of around £2.4m. Even with the price increases, the council would still face a £1.6m black hole across the portfolio.
Trader reactions and next steps
One unnamed market trader told the committee the council was asking for "an enormous amount of money." She said: "There is a state of emergency virtually in this country with the economy. All of our produce has gone up. 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."
Another vendor, who trades on Berwick Street, said: "It is too bloody soon to be posing costs this high on traders who are really struggling to get through."
The council is analysing responses to a consultation that finished at the end of September. Any approved changes will come into force in January 2027.
