Business licences and permits

Information and application forms for running a camp or caravan site, marriage ceremony premises, food premises or auction premises.

Sales by competitive bidding (auction)

We have to register all premises that are holding sales by competitive bidding (auctions).

The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984 (PDF, 83 KB) requires any premises used for the holding of auctions and other sales by competitive bidding to be registered with the local authority.

On payment of a registration fee, we will issue a certificate to show that you have registered your premises or stalls at a particular address for the holding of sales of goods by competitive bidding in conformity with the provisions of the General Powers Act.

What you need to know

The registration will be in force from the date of the certificate up to and including 31 March and is renewable annually.

We will take into account the suitability of the premises or stall, the application, and the occupier.

Usually, we will apply certain conditions​ (PDF, 58 KB) to the registration. These will usually be that:

  • you will have to notify us of the dates on which the auction(s) will take place
  • Trading Standards officers are to be given permission to inspect all aspects of the auction(s) at any reasonable time

Exempt from registration are any sales where no substantial part of the sale goods are brought onto the premises and any sales wholly for the purpose of assisting the funds of a voluntary organisation.

What we need to see

Before you start your application, please ensure that you have:

  • a valid credit or debit card
  • the full address of the premises at which your auction(s) will take place 
  • the reference number for any previous registration (if available)
  • the correct fee

Fees

Type of licenceCost

Application for registration of premises for the sale of goods by auction:
1 April to 31 March (1 year)

£254.40

Application for registration of premises for the sale of goods by auction:
1 July to 30 September (3 quarters)

£190.80

Application for registration of premises for the sale of goods by auction:
1 October to 31 December (2 quarters)

£127.20

Application for registration of premises for the sale of goods by auction:
1 January to 31 March (1 quarter)

£63.60


Note: Your online application will require you to register with GOV.uk set up a business

Apply now

Offences relating to auctions

Subject to a few special cases, Section 25 of the  Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984 (PDF, 83 KB) creates an offence of selling, or permitting the sale of goods by way of competitive bidding:

  • on premises in any London borough which are not registered under this part of the Act
  • on premises which are so registered, but in breach of a condition upon which they are so registered 
  • from a stall which is not registered under this part of this act with the borough council
  • from a stall which is so registered, but in breach of a condition upon which it is registered
Page last updated: 01 Apr 2024