Street market guidance
To use any part of an adopted road - including footways or footpaths - for a street market, you must obtain a permit from us, acting as the Roads Authority under Section 59 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.
Placing stalls or structures on the road without permission is considered an obstruction. We reserve the right to take enforcement action in such cases.
Scope of permission
Permission under Section 59 only covers the occupation of the road, footway, or footpath. You are responsible for securing all other necessary consents, such as:
- Planning permission
- Licensing (such as alcohol or food)
- Any other statutory approvals
Approval from other departments does not guarantee permission from the Roads Authority.
Location and layout requirements
- Markets may be considered on footways, footpaths, carriageways, and other public access areas
- The area to be occupied must be clearly defined in your application and must not be exceeded without prior written consent
- A minimum unobstructed width of 1.8 metres must be maintained between the market and the carriageway
- In high-footfall or pedestrianised areas, a greater clearance may be required, as determined by the Roads Authority
- Stalls must not obstruct access to any premises
Accessibility and safety
- All stalls must include a low-level kickboard or similar feature detectable by visually impaired individuals using a cane
- Merchandise must be displayed safely and must not pose a hazard or obstruction to disabled or visually impaired people
- All structures and goods must be removed promptly after trading hours
Conditions of permission
You must agree to remove stalls or structures at short notice if requested by:
- The Roads Authority
- Statutory undertakers
- Emergency services
The Council may suspend permission at any time for street works or other valid reasons.
Permit duration and renewal
- Permits for regularly recurring markets are typically issued for 12 months
- Operators must reapply annually, confirming that the market area remains unchanged
- We will monitor compliance with all conditions
Insurance requirements
- You must hold public liability insurance of at least £5 million
- A valid insurance certificate must be submitted before any stalls are placed
- Insurance must be maintained throughout the permit period and provided again with any renewal
- If insurance is not in place, permission will be revoked immediately
Fees and application
- An invoice will be issued—cheques and cash are not accepted
- Submit your completed application to the Area Office for the location of your proposed market.