Trading at the Manchester

Local Markets
The Manchester Local Markets include the Arndale, Church Street Market, Gorton, Harpurhey,
Longsight and Wythenshawe Markets, which include markets selling new goods, second-hand
goods, and a mix of both.

If you want to occupy a trading space at the Manchester Local Markets on a regular or daily
casual basis (including where you already occupy a regular space at the market and wish to
apply for additional space or move to another space or where you are a registered casual trader
and want to apply for a regular trading space), you must complete a casual registration
agreement or occupancy agreement.

Manchester Markets celebrate the diverse communities who reside, work and visit Manchester
and positively welcomes trading applications from all sectors of the community.

To apply for a Local Market casual registration or occupancy agreement you will need to:

• Read the following application guidance notes, and Manchester Markets service
Standards (available at www.manchestermarkets.com)
• Complete the application form online at:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/forms/782/market_traders_information or fill in the attached
form, and along with all the relevant supporting documents, email to:
manchestermarkets@manchester.gov.uk or deliver to: Manchester Markets, New
Smithfield Market, Whitworth Street East, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ.

For the application to be valid, you will need to:

• Fill in all mandatory sections

• Provide proof of your legal right to work in the UK, two proofs of your home address, and
proof of your public liability insurance, providing a minimum £5million cover for trading on
British Markets
• Provide a recent personal passport sized colour photo
• Where applicable, provide proof of your registration as a dealer in second-hand goods or
as a food business establishment
• Submit the form and documents to Manchester Markets, meeting any prescribed
application timescales (regular occupancy only)

For details of occupancy charges please refer to the Manchester Markets Information Sheet and
Charge Guidance.
Guidance Notes for Trading at the Local Markets
If you want to sell your goods and services at the Manchester Local Markets, you need to
complete a casual registration or an occupancy agreement. This includes markets selling new
goods, second-hand goods, and mixed markets.

The Local Markets include

• Arndale Market • Harpurhey Market *
• Church Street Market • Longsight Market *
• Gorton Market • Wythenshawe Market *

*Casual trading is only available at the outdoor local markets.

What is a casual registration?

A casual registration with Manchester Markets confirms that you are eligible to trade at the
Local Markets on a daily casual basis, subject to the terms and conditions of registration.
Successful applicants will be issued with a casual registration identity card that confirms you are
registered with Manchester Markets and allows you to attend the Local Markets to apply for a
daily casual trading space. You must show this card each time you apply for daily casual
trading.

You can cancel the registration at any time by providing written notice to Manchester Markets.

To trade at the market, you must attend the Market Office before the daily allocation time, and
register your interest in trading on the market by completing and signing the casual attendance
register. By signing the casual attendance register you are agreeing to abide by the terms and
conditions of the Manchester Markets Service Standards and pay the daily charges. The
criteria used to allocate daily spaces are:
• the number and location of the vacancy
• the type of goods and services the trader wants to sell
• the number of trading spaces required by the trader
• the number of times the trader has previously attended the market
• the balance of trades at the market (so as maintain a balance of supply and demand).

What is an occupancy agreement?

An occupancy agreement is either a licence or a lease made between the owner (Council) and
the licensee / leased (trader) granting permission to use the specified trading spaces at the
market, for the sale of the specified goods. The type of occupancy agreement available
depends upon the market location, but normally leases are used at Arndale, Gorton and Church
Street markets, and licences are used at Harpurhey, Longsight and Wythenshawe markets.

Lease agreements are generally issued for a period of up to five years, and can be cancelled
upon three months notice by either party. Leases usually include rights of assignment to
another trader, following an application process.

Licence agreements do not generally have a prescribed end date, but either party can cancel
them upon seven days notice. There are no rights of assignment with licence agreements.

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Who can apply?
Any individual or business legally eligible to work in the UK and wanting to trade at the Local
Markets to sell their goods and services may apply for a casual registration or occupancy
agreement, unless they have any outstanding charges with or are currently excluded from
trading at Manchester Markets.

We may advertise vacancies for specific trading spaces at the individual market for up to four
weeks. These advertisements will provide details of the vacant space(s), any restrictions to the
trade type, and a deadline for submitting applications.

The application process

To apply for an occupancy agreement at the Local Markets you need to complete and submit an
application form, available online at www.manchestermarkets.com. Applications can be
completed online at http://www.manchester.gov.uk/forms/782/market_traders_information, or
submitted, by email to manchestermarkets@manchester.gov.uk or delivered to the market
office or Manchester Markets head office.

Applicants must help Manchester Markets attain its vision, which is ‘to provide markets that are
thriving, vital, self-sustaining and that reflect and enhance Manchester’s rich and diverse culture
and the City’s status as a European Regional Capital’. You must also submit the following
supporting documents with your application:
• Proof of your legal right to work in the UK
• Two proofs of your home address
• A personal colour passport-sized photograph
• Proof of your public liability insurance (providing a minimum £5 million cover)
• Proof of registration for a food business establishment (where applicable)
• Proof of registration as a dealer in second-hand goods (where applicable).

All supporting documents must be originals, i.e. photocopies are not accepted. If you are
sending documents by post we recommend that you use a high-value postal service, e.g.
Recorded Signed For or Special Delivery. You can also show these documents in person, at the
Manchester Markets Head Office or at any of the market offices. If you choose to apply online
you will be required to provide a scanned copy of your documents; however, the original must
be shown before the completion of your agreement.

What is the Manchester Markets Service Standards?

The Manchester Markets Service Standards contain the terms, conditions and standards of
trading. Copies are available online at www.manchestermarkets.com.

Proof of legal right to work in the UK

All applicants must provide any one document from the list below to demonstrate you have the
legal right to work in the UK as a trader. Documents B1-B8 have time restrictions, so if you
provide one of these we will carry out a follow-up check every 12 months, unless you can later
produce a document from A1-A10. Documents marked with an asterix(*), which also require
proof of your National Insurance. Contact the UK Border Agency for further information at their
website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/preventingillegalworking.
A1 A passport showing you are a British citizen or citizen of the UK and Colonies with the right
of abode in the UK.

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A2 A passport or national identify card showing you are a national of a European Economic
Area country or Switzerland.
A3 A residence permit, registration certificate or document certifying or indicating permanent
residence issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration Agency, or the UK
Border Agency to a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
A4 A permanent residence card or document issued by the home Office, the Border and
Immigration Agency, or the UK Border Agency to the family member of a national of a
European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
A5 A passport or other travel document endorsed to show you are exempt from immigration
control, allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, have the right of abode in the United
Kingdom, or have no time limit on your stay.
A6* An Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration
Agency, or the UK Border Agency with an endorsement indicating that you are allowed to
stay indefinitely in the UK or have no time limit on your stay.
A7* A full birth certificate or adoption certificate issued in the UK which includes the name(s) of
at least one of your parents / adoptive parents.
A8 * A birth certificate or adoption certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or
Ireland.
A9* A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen.
A10* A letter issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration Agency, or the UK Border
Agency which indicates that you are allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK.
B1 A passport / travel document endorsed to show you are allowed to stay in the UK and be a
trader
B2 A Biometric Residence Permit issued by the UK Border Agency which indicates that you
can stay in the UK and are allowed to work as a trader.
B3 A residence card or document issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration
Agency, or the UK Border Agency to a family member of a national of a European
Economic Area country or Switzerland.
B4 A work permit or other approval to take employment issued by the Home Office, the
Border and Immigration Agency, or the UK Border Agency, in combination with a
passport or another travel document endorsed to show you are allowed to stay in the UK
and work as a trader or a letter issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration
Agency, or the UK Border Agency confirming the same.
B5 Certificate of Application issued by the home Office, the Border and Immigration Agency,
or the UK Border Agency to or for a family member of a national of a European Economic
Area country or Switzerland stating you are permitted to take employment which is less
than 6 months old, in combination with evidence of verification by the UK Border Agency
Employer Checking Service
B6 An Application Registration Card (ARC) issued by the Home Office, the Border and
Immigration Agency or the UK Border Agency stating that you are “ALLOWED TO WORK”
or “EMPLOYMENT PERMITTED”, in combination with evidence of verification by the UK
Border Agency Employer Checking Service.
B7* An Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration
Agency or the UK Border Agency to the holder with an endorsement indicating that you
can stay in the UK and are allowed to work as a trader.
B8* A letter issued by the Home Office, the Border and Immigration Agency, or the UK Border
Agency to the holder or the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that you
can stay in the UK and are allowed to work as a trader.

Proof of home address

To verify your current address applicants must provide two proofs of home address. All
documents must be recent and show your full name and address. These can be any of the
following documents:

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• A statement of account from your bank, building society or other financial organisation, a
bill from your utility provider or an addressed payslip, P45 or P60 document – dated less
than 3 months old.
• A valid TV licence, insurance policy certificate or government agency document – dated
less than 12 months old.
• Your current driving licence.

Proof of public liability insurance

Public liability insurance provides you with protection from loss or damage resulting from a claim
for damages by a member of the public or other third party arising from any accident or injuries
sustained whilst you are trading at the market.

Manchester Markets require all traders to have, and maintain throughout their agreement, public
liability insurance providing cover for a minimum £5 million for trading on British markets. You
must provide a current insurance policy certificate or National Market Traders Federation
membership card in your name. You should be able to obtain cover from any reputable public
liability insurance provider, or the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF).

Proof of registration for a food business establishment.

Under UK law, if you are operating or intending to operate a food business, you need to register
this (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other movable structures). Registration allows
local authorities to keep an up-to-date list of all premises in their area so they can visit them
when they need to.

If you are regularly run a food business in Manchester for 5 or more days in any consecutive 5
weeks, you must notify Manchester City Council's Licensing about any premises you use for:
a) storing; b) selling; c) distributing; d) preparing food
Anyone starting a new food business must register at least 28 days before trading commences.

For further information and to register please visit the website at:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/licensing

Proof of registration as a dealer in second-hand goods?

If you are trading in second-hand goods, you must register with the local authority. Therefore,
where you are selling second-hand goods in Manchester you must provide evidence that you
have registered with Manchester City Council’s Premises Licensing.

Registration will last for a period of three years from the day the entry is made in the register.
For registration to continue, a person must apply to renew their registration before the end of
this 3 year period.

For further information and to register please visit the website at:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/72607/second_hand_goods_registration

National Insurance
Most people who work in the UK have to pay National Insurance contributions (NICs), which are
collected by HM revenue & Customs (HMRC). There are different types of National Insurance
contributions, depending upon whether you are employed or self-employed.

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There are special National Insurance rules for people who travel outside the UK and for people
who come to the UK from abroad. When you come to work in the UK you have to register for a
National Insurance number and immediately start paying National Insurance contributions in the
UK on the same basis as other people who normally live and work here. Further information is
available from HM Revenue & Customs at www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic.

Assessment of applications
Valid applications will be assessed and we will generally notify you of the outcome within three
weeks. However, the assessment can take up to eight weeks where you are applying for a
trading space that is subject to specific advertising timescales. Applications are not valid if they
have not been completed correctly and where all the appropriate supporting information has not
been provided. Applications will not be assessed where the applicant or business has
outstanding arrears with or is currently excluded from trading at Manchester Markets.

Where the application is for an occupancy agreement, a minimum panel of two will assess
applications. You may be required to provide further information in support of your application,
such as a business plan, space fit-out plans, or your customer service policy. In this instance
you will be notified directly and submission timescales will be agreed. The panel may also seek
assistance from suitably qualified individuals, where required (e.g. using an accountant to
assess a statement of accounts). The criteria used to assess all applications for an occupancy
agreement and allocate spaces are:
• the number and location of the vacancy(s)
• the type of goods and services the applicant wants to sell
• the number of trading spaces required by the applicant
• the balance of trades at the market (so as maintain a balance of supply and demand)
• illustration of the proposed space design and business brand fit with the Manchester
Markets vision, and costs to achieve this are understood and achievable
• understanding of the business, along with the products and services offered
• business experience, including skills and experience of the product / service range
• clear customer policy showing how the business will deliver excellent customer service,
including dealing with complaints, returns, etc.
• provision of robust business planning and financial information demonstrating the
sustainability of the business.

The casual registration process

Successful applicants will be issued a casual registration identity card, which must be shown to
Manchester Markets every time you attend the market to apply for daily casual trading, and
when requested. The card confirms that you are registered with Manchester Markets and
eligible to trade at the Local Markets on a daily casual basis, subject to the terms and conditions
of registration and the Manchester Markets Service Standards. The casual registration identity
card will provide details of the goods and services you will be allowed to sell at the Local
markets, and will show when your public liability insurance expires, and when you are required
to provide further proof of UK working should the documents you have provided have time-limit
restrictions. Your casual registration identity card will expire at the time your public liability
expires and at the deadline for providing further documentary evidence of UK working, and will
only be renewed when you provide proof of your renewed insurance policy and any other
additional documents.

Once you receive your casual registration identity card you will be permitted to attend the local
markets to apply for daily trading at the market as a casual trader.

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The occupancy agreement process
We will contact successful applicants to agree the occupancy start date and any space fit-out
period. You will then be made an offer of occupancy for specific trading spaces, by way of a
lease or licence agreement, which will be posted to you. This includes the terms and conditions
of the agreement, including the goods and services you will be allowed to sell, and the
occupancy charges. To accept the offer, you must read, sign and return the occupancy
agreement and make payment of any associated legal fees prior to the start of the occupancy
period.

Contact Information

Arndale and Church Street Markets Gorton Market

49 High Street, Manchester M4 3AH Gorton Market Hall, Gorton District Centre,
Garratt Way, Gorton, Manchester M18 8LD
℡ 0161 832 3552 0161 276 7609
info@arndalemarket.co.uk ℡ 0161 231 3522 0161 231 0283
info@gortonmarket.co.uk

Harpurhey Market Longsight Market

Harpurhey Shopping Centre, Harpurhey, Dickenson Road, Longsight, Manchester M13
Manchester M9 4DH 0WG
℡ 0161 205 0215 0161 205 0215 ℡ 0161 225 9859 0161 225 9859
info@harpurheymarket.co.uk info@longsightmarket.co.uk

Wythenshawe Market Manchester Markets Head Office

Wythenshawe Town Centre, Poundswick
Lane, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 5RF
℡ 0161 499 2832 0161 499 8232
info@wythenshawemarket.co.uk
Manchester City Council, Manchester Markets,
New Smithfield Market, Whitworth Street East,
Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ
℡ 0161 234 5700 0161 274 7298
Text phone: 0161 230 6857
manchestermarkets@manchester.gov.uk
website www.manchestermarkets.com

Complaints
If you have a complaint relating to licensing or registration with Manchester Markets, please use
the on-line complaints form at www.manchester.gov.uk/licensing/complaintsform.

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Application Form for Trading at the Local Markets
You should complete all sections of the application form that are relevant to you. Please note
that the highlighted areas are mandatory and you must fill in these sections.

Applicant Information
Surname
Forename(s)
Title Mr Mrs Miss Ms Other please state

Home address
(including postcode
and country)

Contact telephone number

Email address
Date of birth
National Insurance number
Business name
Please detail all the goods and services you want to offer for sale specify if new or used

What you want to do

What are you applying to do?
Trade on daily casual basis Occupy a trading space(s) on a regular basis
Which market(s) do you want to trade at?
How many trading spaces will you require (regular occupancy only)?
Which trading space(s) are you applying for (regular occupancy only)?

APPLICATION FORM for trading at the Manchester Retail Markets Page 9

Supporting Information
Which supporting documents are you providing with your application for proof of legal right to
work in the UK, proof of address, proof of food business or second-hand dealer registration
and proof of public liability insurance (see guidance notes)?

Additional Details
Please use this section to provide any additional details you wish to give in support of your
application, using additional paper where necessary.

Disclosure of Information
The Council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and participates in the
Audit Commission's bi-annual National Fraud Initiative. To this end it may use the information
you have provided in respect of your registration and occupancy with Manchester Markets for
the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies
responsible for auditing and administering public funds for these purposes, and when required
by law, statutory requirement and in respect of crime prevention and detection.
For further information regarding the NFI exercise, see the Council's website at
www.manchester.gov.uk/info/726/benefits-fraud_investigation/722/benefit_fraud.

Confirmation of Information
By completing and submitting this application form you confirm that:
• You have read the guidance notes and Manchester Markets Service Standards
• You are legally eligible to work in the UK
• All details contained in and with this form are correct
• You will notify Manchester Markets in writing within 14 days of any changes to the information
• You understand that by falsifying any details your application and any subsequent
registration, allocation and agreement will be invalid.

Signed
Date

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