Auction premises licence

Any premises used for public auctions must be registered under the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984 Part VI, unless the auction is a one day charity event.  In this case, proof of charity status will be required. The licence is valid for one year.

This service is only available to businesses in the borough. To be eligible, applicants need to be informed that:

• The right to bid for any lot is restricted to persons who have bought or agreed to buy one or more articles
• Goods are sold to any person at a lower price than that person' s highest bid for that lot, or part of the price bid is later refunded
• Articles are offered or given away free as gifts

The person conducting a relevant sale shall not attempt to restrict or exclude the rights of the buyer or any obligations to the buyer. These rights and obligations could arise if the goods are defective or are not fit for purpose or do not correspond with the description.

Each buyer shall be given a receipt with full name and address of the business entity carrying out the sale according to the Business Names Act 1985.

The occupier of the premises must be the person which the premises are registered to. The registration is not transferable.

Download an application form (pdf, 22 kb) or apply online through the Businesslink website.

Prerequisites

Details of each trading session at which a relevant sale is likely to take place is to be notified in writing to the principal trading standards officer by the person the premises are registered with, no less than five days before the event. The notification must include the date, time and duration of the sale and the names and addresses of anyone involved with the conduct and management of the event.

Application process

Application form checks – the application should be signed in the case of:

1. An individual, by the individual
2. A partnership, by every partner
3. A limited company or other incorporated body, by the secretary
4. An association, society or similar body, by its duly authorised agent, the application being accompanied by a certified copy of the agents' authority.

The applicant should provide contact details such as address, if communications are to be sent to a different address from the premises, and a telephone number.

Applications must be sent to the licensing authority for the area where the premises are located.

Applications would need to be received at least 28 days before the date of the sale.

What fee do I pay?

Occasional £169.00
Annual       £564.00

Where do I send the forms?

The Licensing Authority
Licensing Section
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO BOX 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY

Telephone: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 0863
Email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk

The council will take into account the suitability of the premises or stall.

Before your application is refused you will be given the opportunity to appear before the council.

It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within 28 days, please contact it.

Disqualified suspension penalty compensation

If any person knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement or omits any material particulars in this application, he or she shall be guilty of an offence.

Further information

Copies of The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984 can be obtained from Office of Public Sector Information, or a copy can be inspected at the Council offices where you may also obtain an application form and further help or advice.

Contact

Tower Hamlets Licensing Section

Mulberry Place
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY

Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 0863

Email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk