Street Collection Permit

Information about street collections including a definition of a 'public place'.

It is illegal in this country to hold a Street Collection in a street or public place to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes without obtaining a Street Collection Permit from the Council.  A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has access'.

'Privately owned land' such as shop doorways or shop car parks still require a Street Collection Permit because it is still a 'public place' that the public has access to at that time and as such not exempt from the legislation.  For example, Ankerside Shopping Centre, although privately owned, is still a public place and requires a permit. 

The purpose of the legal requirement to obtain consent is to ensure collectors are properly authorised and that money is collected in a secure way and that the total proceeds collected are properly accounted for.  Consents are restricted to enable charities to raise money without their collection clashing with those of other charities.

There is no cost for issuing a permit but there are rules to be followed:

• Street collections are usually made by Charities or for a charitable purpose;
• Collections are limited to 2 days per year in the same location, there is no restriction on different locations;
• If collecting on privately owned land, please provide a letter of permission from the landowner;
• Money must be collected in sealed containers;
• 28 days prior notice of the collection is required;
• The organiser must submit a return within 1 month of the collection taking place.

Send your application to:

Licensing, Public Protection, Assets & Environment

Tamworth Borough Council

Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, B79 7BZ

Telephone 01827 709 445 or email publicprotection@tamworth.gov.uk

Forms are located in More Information to the right of this screen