Licensed Activities

We are not offering licenses at the following locations:

• Broadstairs: Joss Bay, Viking Bay, and Louisa Bay
• Ramsgate: Pegwell Bay

Thanet has 19 miles of coastline divided into 21 bays, stretching from Western Undercliff in the South to Minnis Bay in the North.

Our beaches are famous for their beauty. In 2024, they received five international Blue Flag awards and five Seaside Awards.

To find out more about the area, please visit the Our Coast page on the Visit Thanet website.

A licence grants temporary consent to trade from land owned by the council (on a non-exclusive basis).

Examples of licensed activities are ice cream vans, water sports activities, art stalls and food vendors.

A licence is not a permanent lease. It only applies to the specified time period, and to the person named in the licence, which is non-transferable.

The fees are set for each business type and vary by location. Fees will be reviewed annually and may be subject to increase at the council’s discretion. The council reserves the right to review and change these fees.

Payment for the agreed licence is required in full before the licence start date.

There is a one-off administration fee of £380 for each licence.

Any legal costs incurred in the preparation of the licence must also be paid before the start date.

The licence can be renewed.

Rates may be applicable.

Coastal barrier access keys cost £122 if required. For further info on barrier keys and how to apply, please visit our Water User Group page.

We’re inviting applications for the following types of business:

• Ice-creams: artisan ice-creams, soft-serve and lollies sold from a van, small unit or hand-cart/trike.Food: pizzas, doughnuts, crepes, wraps/paninis, gourmet burgers/sausages, rice boxes, street food, vegan alternatives etc
• Refreshments: tea, coffee and soft drinks, light snacks (biscuits, cakes, pastries etc). Alcohol sales MUST be by arrangement with the council’s Licensing team
• Fitness, Leisure, Arts and Crafts: kite-surf and paddle board hire and instruction, cycles, face painting, hair braiding, hand-made goods, local produce (non-food) etc

The locations included are:

• Botany Bay
• Dumpton Gap
• Eastern Undercliff
• Epple Bay
• Foreness Bay
• Grenham Bay
• Kingsgate Beach
• Margate Sands
• Minnis Bay
• Ramsgate
• Sacketts Gap
• St Mildreds Bay
• Stone Bay
• Walpole Bay
• West Bay
• Westbrook Bay
• Western Undercliff

Anyone who is interested in applying for a licence must provide evidence of the following:

• Public liability insurance (minimum of £5 million).
• Business risk assessment.
• Activity assessment.
• Commercial waste collection arrangement.
• Own power source (fuel-powered generators will not be permitted).

All food and beverage vendors must also provide copies of their:

• Food Hygiene Rating (Notice period required, reach out to Licensing).
• Food business registration.
• Certificates of gas/electrical safety (where applicable).

All sport operators must also provide copies of their:

• Valid BKSA/IKO or equivalent instructor certificate.
• Any relevant training certificates including First Aid.

No motorised water sports.

Successful applicants will be notified once due diligence checks are completed. Details of the documentation required to complete the licence will be confirmed.

All applicants must provide the following:

• Public liability insurance (minimum £5 million cover).
• Risk assessments and method statements.
• Statutory compliance certificates and documents.
• Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note and/or appropriate evidence of recycling.
• Litter and refuse disposal (upon completion).
• Proof of ID may be required.
• The council will undertake credit checks.

Only the party named on the licence has permission to operate at an agreed location. Terms and conditions apply.

The council reserves the right to allow a suitable mix of operators at any given location.

A licence will be given for one main unit or trailer to be on site. Any other vehicle used to tow a unit, trailer, or equipment to the pitch must be removed during trading hours.

Equipment, including vehicles, units, and trailers, can be on site during trading hours only. They must be removed from the pitch outside trading hours. No equipment, vehicle, unit, or trailer can remain overnight at any location.

We do not provide electricity or water. Licensees will need to provide their own electricity and water if required. Only non-fueled generators will be permitted and noise must be kept to a minimum. Further information on noise levels is available on our website.

A ban on all single-use plastic cutlery, trays, plates, bowls, and balloon sticks came into force on 1 October 2023. This also includes certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers.

The ban applies to all businesses, including retailers, takeaways, food vendors, and the hospitality industry, and to online and over-the-counter sales. The ban includes items from new and existing stock and covers all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable, recycled, and items wholly or partly made from plastic, including the coating or lining.

Businesses that continue to supply single-use plastic items could receive a fine. You can read more about the ban and any exemptions on the Defra website.

All waste must be kept in suitable containers and properly secured to prevent escape, disease, or unpleasant odours. Areas must be kept clear of rubbish. Licensees must arrange for their waste to be collected by a licensed operator. Waste must not be disposed of on the council’s land or in public litter bins.

More information can be found on our website.

As part of the licence, businesses should:

• Promote the reduction of emissions
• Promote the reduction and recycling of waste
• Agree and operate initiatives to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste.

Sustainable tenancy awards may be granted to licensees who provide evidence of a commercial recycling contract.

Applicants are responsible for obtaining and paying for other consent, if required. This includes planning permission.

Licence holders are not permitted to sell or serve alcohol at any time. Anyone wishing to offer alcohol must apply to the council’s Licensing team for a Personal or Premises Licence.

Further information about alcohol licensing is available on our website.

All sites are accessible by foot. If you need vehicle access outside trading hours, you will need to apply for a coastal barrier key. A fee of £122 applies. Additional risk assessments are also required.

Further information and details of how to apply are available on the website.

Licences will only be granted for a maximum of 12 months. A new license can be applied for the following year.