Pedlars & Pedlary Entrepreneurs
WELCOME ON BOARD
Pedlars launched this website in 2007 dedicated to not-for-profit publishing of information, resources and communications about pedlary. It provides a resource centre for all concerned with pedlary. It regularly provides updates to its readership and recognises severe limitations for those pedlars who neither read nor write because pedlary for them remains an oral tradition.
The several researchers at pedlars.info prepare contributions and articles in response to issues arising whilst acknowledging the fundamental principle of pedlary being ‘individual’ unfettered by any membership or organisation claiming to be the voice of pedlars.
Articles are assembled chronologically and content must be considered within historic context.
The audio visual images on the right hand margin are live links to interviews and videos.
Errors and Omissions are inevitable and we welcome contributions that correct or challenge any text.
What is a Pedlar?
A pedlar is a self-regulated certificated pedestrian service provider that travels and trades within any part of the United Kingdom, carrying to sell or exposing for sale any goods. The Pedlars Act 1871/1881 protects the bearer’s civil liberty to freely trade in public under the authority of a Pedlar’s Certificate.
The Principle of the Pedlars Act
The Principle of the Pedlars Act provides common law privilege to an eligible pedestrian person to trade with complete freedom based on a simple private contract within any part of the United Kingdom. A pedlar is self-regulated and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Schedule 4 Section 1 (2) (a) makes provision for pedlars to trade in local authority designated streets.
How to apply for a Pedlar’s Certificate
A Pedlar’s Certificate is a document granted by the Commissioner of Police. The Certificate is valid for 1 year and applies throughout the United Kingdom. An applicant must be above 17 years of age, has residence in the local police district for one month prior to application, be of good character and intends in good faith to act as a pedlar. An Application Form is available gratis at an applicant’s local police station. A Pedlar’s Certificate costs £12.25 per annum.
Acting as a Pedlar
A pedlar may trade privately at the door of a person’s house or in a public street, market or fair. Street trading by a person with a Pedlars Certificate is not committing a street trading offence according to Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Schedule 4 Section 1 (2) (a). A Local Authority issues licences or consents for static street trading pitches within allocated spaces. A pedlar’s means of trading must be mobile and movable so as not to cause obstruction or public liability on the highway. A pedlar may use a pedestrian scale mobile device to carry and display goods. A pedlar is also described as a hawker amongst other descriptions. A pedlar is entitled to remain static whilst displaying goods (Pedlars Act Section 3) and serving customers. A pedlar’s contract is not with the Local Authority but with the pedlar’s public and so is conditioned by the public. Although it is not ‘necessary’ to carry a certificate to trade foodstuffs nothing prohibits obtaining a certificate for the purpose to avoid commission of a local Street Trading offence.
Legislation affecting Pedlary
Pedlars should be aware that in some council districts there is local Street Trading legislation that may affect pedlary.
Further Information
Search online – pedlar, pedlar’s certificate, Pedlars Act 1871, Pedlars Act 1881, Markets and Fairs Clauses Act 1847 Section 13, or use the search bar on the left margin of this page.
latest articles:
WHAT IS A PEDLAR – 12 March 2019 – Peer Reviewed & Referenced Guidance Note – read more
- Logie-v-Birmingham City Council – Another Win for Pedlars – read more
- Judicial Review – 2024 Logie v Birmingham City Council – pedlar wins landmark case – read more
- Even Chat GPT can differentiate between pedlar and street trader – read more
- NEWS FLASH – 26 May 2017 – Pedlar Appeal Crown Court Manchester – read more
- BREAKING NEWS – 26 May 2016 – Local PSPOs attempt to subvert National Pedlars Act – read more
- Swindon PSPO prohibition – 26 January 2016 – read more
- Oxford PSPO affects pedlary – 25 November 2015 – read more
- BREAKING NEWS – 5 December 2015 – First Pedlar Event in London for 144 years – video links to conference
- BREAKING NEWS – 16 October 2014 – Government Concedes – PEDLARS ACT Survives – read more
- Metropolitan Police on-line info rebuttal – 1 August 2014 – read more
- Avon & Somerset police – Pedlars Notice rebuttal – 6 August 2014 – read more
- House of Commons Notes – argument for withdrawl – 4 July 2014 – read more
- Parliament misled by corrupt use of language – 13 January 2014 – read more
- Official Conduct at BIS – 1 January 2014 – read more
- House of Commons Library Update: Pedlars – 18 December 2013 – read more
- Official Conduct at BIS – 15 November 2013 – read more
- Stakeholder Meeting at BIS – 6 November 2013 – read more
- HC Library Reference Paper SN/HA/5693 rebuttal – 5 November 2013 – read more
- Communications with BIS – 29 October 2013 – read more
- Policy to Ignore – 2 July 2013 – read more
- Principle of the Pedlars Act – 21 August 2013 – see above update
- Pedlars 2nd reply to consultation URN12/605 – 2 April 2013 – read more
- Office of Fair Trading OFT – David Chapman – 27 March 2013 – read more
- EU Recognition of Professional Status – read more
- EU Consultation – 4 February 2013 – live link
- THIRD OPTION – 27 January 2013 – live link
- Letter to Editor – 27 January 2013 – read more
- Briefing and Questions to HMG re BIS Consultation – 11 January 2013 – read more
- Q & A: BIS invites views but have already made a decision? – 6 Jan 2013 – read more
- Question about Designations – 4 January 2013 – read more
- Parallels – EU recognition of the Profession of Pedlary – 4 December 2012 – read more
- HMG declares WAR on centuries-old Common Law – 23 November 2012 – read more
- Briefing to Vince Cable outlining Problem & Solution – 29 September 2012 – read more
- Communications with BIS re URN11/542 policy – on-going – read more
- Parliamentary Written Questions – House of Lords – 15 June 2012 – read more
- Regulation of Street Traders & Pedlars – House of Commons SN05692 – read more
- Street Trading and Pedlary Law – proposed amendment to statute – 6 June 2012 – read more
- HL Paper 242 – 21 December 2011 – read more
- Press Release – 23 December 2011 – read more
- Press Release – 2 December 2011 – read more
- Objections to Select Committee procedure – 24 November 2011 – read more
- Formal Complaint to European Parliament – 18 November 2011 – read more
- Submission to Opposed Bill Committee HLords – 3 November 2011 – read more
- Letter to BIS re Services Directive – 8 October 2011 – read more
- Letter to BIS re Judicial Review – 7 October 2011 – read more
- Letter to BIS re Ministers Letter – 30 September 2011 – read more
- Press Release – 17 July 2011 – read more
- Letter to Ministers at BIS – 27 June 2011 – read more
- Pedlar questions on BIS report – 11 May 2011 – read more
- Letter to the BBC – 2 February 2011 – read more