Charitable (Street) Collections

Do I need a permit to collect for charity on the street?

Yes. If you want to collect money or sell items for charity in a public place, you must have a Street Collection Permit. 

Permits for street collections are granted by the Local Authority.

This is requirement of the:

• Police, Factories etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1916.

When is a permit is required?

• any collection to be undertaken in a street or a public place requires a street collection permit
• this includes the area between a pavement and a shop door or privately owned shopping precinct
• it is an offence to conduct a street collection in any street or public place without a permit
• we do not permit more than one organisation to collect in the same area on the same day
• If you’re selling items like magazines or small goods in a public place, like at a market and the money is going to charity, this is called a street collection.
  

Important rules and guidance

• only one organisation can collect in the same area on the same day.
• permit holders must publish an account of the collection proceeds/ collection results in a local newspaper, at their own expense.
• the council uses the Street Collections Policy to decide whether to grant a permit.
  • Download Street Collections Policy (PDF, 14KB, 1 page) 

Guidance

• all charitable institutions and third-party fundraisers in the UK must follow the Fundraising Regulator code of fundraising practice. 
  • The code of fundraising practice provided by he Fundraising Regulator 
•  if you need the documents in an alternative format, please contact Licensing
  

Apply for a street collection permit

You can apply online. There is no fee for either type of permit.