Opportunities to apply for seasonal business licences on the Thanet coast

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

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

Examples of licenced 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 do not change 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 £380.00 for each licence. Any legal costs incurred in the preparation of the licence must also be paid before the start date.

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 the 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 licenced 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: Commercial waste service

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.

Further information about alcohol licensing is available on our website: Licences and Trading.

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: Water users.

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, and 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.

This is a pilot programme, so licences will only be granted for a maximum of 12 months. A new license can be applied for the following year.