Market Regulations
1st OCTOBER 2016 - 31st MARCH 2017
Thursday and Saturday Markets
1. Definitions
1.1 “The Market” is held in the Market Place, Blandford Forum on Thursdays and Saturdays of each week (subject to any town events that require use of the Market Place and on these occasions the Town Council will attempt to relocate the market, where possible).
1.2 “The Market Manager” is the person appointed by Blandford Forum Town Council to supervise the functions of the Market.
1.3 “Stallholders” are those who trade regularly in the town and have accepted the following regulations.
1.4 “Pitch” means the size of area to be used by a stallholder. The size of a Pitch is ten feet by sixteen feet (10 ft x 16 ft).
1.5 “Charge” is the cost of each Pitch to be paid to the Market Manager. The charge per pitch is £18.50.
1.6 “Trader” means a Stallholder who has traded regularly in the town for a continuous period of 6 weeks.
2. General Conditions
2.1 Applications for Pitches are to be made to the Town Council Market Manager.
2.2 Applicants must be in possession of a suitable and safe stall as determined by the Market Manager.
2.3 The Market Manager has authority to refuse to let a Pitch to any Stallholder who does not comply with any of these Regulations. Allocations of Pitches are made on the express understanding that they may be terminated immediately by the Market Manager in the event of any contravention by a Stallholder of these regulations.
2.4 Stallholders must inform the Market Manager of their names and addresses and the name of each Stallholder (including a trade name if any) is to be prominently displayed on each stall.
2.5 Stallholders shall ensure that their stalls are continuously manned by at least one competent person over the age of sixteen (16) years.
2.6 Each Stallholder shall be permitted to park no more than one motor vehicle immediately adjacent to their stall providing a valid parking permit is displayed thereon and the vehicle is parked within the permitted area of their Pitch. This arrangement will be reviewed in due course.
2.7 The loading area in front of the Corn Exchange is to be kept clear of stalls and vehicles at all times to provide pedestrian and emergency access.
2.8 The War Memorial Plaques and railings on the front of the Corn Exchange must not be covered by notices or goods. This also applies to the Town Council’s planters and the Christmas tree/barriers.
3. General Obligations
3.1 Stallholders shall indemnify the Town Council from and against all claims, damages, loss, expenses and costs in respect of any explosion, fire, accident or injury to property, persons or things which may arise or occur through or in connection with the occupation or use of the stall.
3.2 Valid Public Liability Insurance up to a sum of £5 million and, if appropriate, Market Traders Employers’ Liability Insurance Certificates shall be available for inspection at all times.
3.3 A Stallholder and persons employed by him shall conduct his business in an orderly manner, and shall refrain from making any remarks likely to cause an offence to customers or to persons using the Market Place or occupying premises fronting thereon.
3.4 No Stallholder shall use any public address system, radio or similar apparatus in the Market without prior agreement with the Town Council.
3.5 The Town Council does not encourage the use of generators by stallholders, however, if there are extenuating circumstances requiring the use of a (diesel only) generator a separate application must be made to the Town Council for approval. In the event that an application is refused the Council’s decision is deemed to be final and no right of appeal exists.
3.6 The continuity of specific locations by Registered Traders is encouraged. However, no Stallholder has the right to trade from a particular Pitch in the Market.
3.7 No trader shall assign, transfer, sublet or otherwise dispose of their interest in any trading position on the Town Council’s Markets without express approval of Blandford Forum Town Council.
3.8 Occupation of any pitch must be through the correct channels and managed by the Market Manager.
3.9 Registered Traders who intend to cease trading in the Market are requested to advise the Market Manager accordingly.
3.10 No individual may hire more than two pitch areas (i.e. 20 ft frontage) unless otherwise agreed by the Town Council.
3.11 In the event of sickness or bad weather, sites will be kept for Registered Traders for a period of 4 weeks or at the discretion of the Town Council, provided the authority is aware of the situation. If a Registered Trader is absent from the site for a period in excess of 4 weeks, except by reason of sickness or bad weather he shall become a Casual Trader.
3.12 Notice of non-attendance by Stallholders must be given to the Market Manager (on 01258 454500) by 08.30 hours on Market days; the charge for a period of up to 4 weeks will not then be forfeited. In addition the Market Manager must be advised when Stallholders are going on holiday and the date on which they intend to return.
3.13 A Stallholder shall comply with any directions given by the Market Manager or other Town Council employee on all matters concerning the conduct of the Market.
3.14 No trader shall store, display or sell on any market ground any item which is offensive to public taste and morals. The Market Manager’s decision will be final and binding.
3.15 No person shall bring any goods into the Market for the purpose of sale before 6.30am. Selling of goods shall commence at 7.30 am and shall cease at 4 pm. Pitches not occupied by 8am shall be allocated on a ‘first-come’ basis. The Market Place must be vacated and left clean and tidy by 4.30 pm. All loading and unloading of goods shall be carried out with as little disturbance as possible to local residents.
3.16 Stallholders shall sell or offer for sale from their stalls only those goods approved beforehand by the Town Council. A Stallholder may not make any material change in the class of goods sold from a Pitch without the Town Council’s consent.
3.17 No trader shall store, display or sell on any market ground any explosive materials, fireworks, hazardous liquids, bulk gases or any substance which might be a source of danger to anyone attending the market.
3.18 Appropriate licences must be shown/displayed for restricted goods/any products that require a licence to sell.
4. The Stalls
4.1 Should any site be vacant after 08.30 hours then, at the discretion of the Market Manager, the first Casual Trader in attendance will be allocated the vacant site.
4.2 Stallholders shall not place goods beyond the limits of their Pitch as allocated by the Market Manager either on the ground or hanging. All Stallholders goods empty crates and refuse must be stored within the area of the Pitch.
4.3 Stalls, vehicles and goods should not extend beyond the ground studs at the front of the market.
4.4 Canopies, clips and display goods must be positioned high enough so as to cause no risk or danger to pedestrians.
4.5 Stalls and Stallholders shall not obstruct or endanger the users of the adjacent highway.
4.6 The Town Council disclaims all liability for accidents caused by or arising from the disrepair condition or construction of any stall not owned by it.
5. Food
5.1 Stalls selling fruit, vegetables, fish or meat must be screened on 3 sides and the top.
5.2 Market Stallholders must comply with current and existing food legislation and be able to produce the relevant paperwork upon request). These require that the premises/stalls are kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition to avoid the risk of contamination.
5.3 All food businesses must be registered with the local authority where the business is based, more information on the requirements can be provided by North Dorset District Council on 01258 454111. Mobile traders guidance packs can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/mobilefoodvendors along with other useful information.
5.4 Stallholders must identify any of the allergens in the ingredients/finished product for all items that they serve.The information may be provided in a number of ways, including putting details on the menu or a chalkboard, or supplying an information pack.If it is not provided on display, you will need to indicate where it can be obtained either verbally or in writing. Advice on other responsibilities for food business operators concerning other aspects of food labelling and information can be obtained from Dorset Trading Standards Service, business advice on 01305 224702 or .
6. Payment
6.1 Pitch charges shall be paid to the Market Manager. The charge per pitch is £18.50.
7. Litter
7.1 Stallholders are responsible for ensuring that all rubbish, litter, unwanted goods, etc., are properly stored throughout the day, and removed at the end of the day’s trading. Additional precautions shall be taken by Stallholders during inclement weather to prevent litter from their stalls being blown along the highway. If a Stallholder fails to comply with this regulation the Town Council may remove the refuse and cleanse the area and the Stallholder shall be liable for the Town Council’s costs in so doing.
7.2 Rubbish must not be deposited in litter bins around the town.
7.3 Pitch areas must be left clean and tidy.
8. Complaints
8.1 Any complaint with regard to these regulations shall be made to the Town Clerk.
9. Staffing
9.1 In the absence of the Market Manager, the Caretaker and Bookings Receptionist will carry out the market Manager’s duty and will have the above authority to do so.
Blandford Forum Town Council reserves the right to exclude from the Market any trader who contravenes any of the above regulations.
Linda Scott-Giles
Town Clerk
Blandford Forum Town Council
Town Clerks Office
Church Lane
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT11 7AD
01258 454500
The office is open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
Page 2 of 4 Blandford Market Regulations – 2016/2017