Westminster market traders face pitch fee rises of up to 90%

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 18:26 · Archive

Westminster City Council is proposing to nearly double some market traders' pitch fees to help close a £2.4 million deficit in its street trading budget.

Westminster City Council proposes increasing daily pitch fees for market traders by up to 90 per cent to help address a £2.4 million deficit in its street trading budget. Saturday charges would rise from £22 to £42 for some vendors under the plans, which would introduce different fee levels depending on location, trading day and type of goods sold. Hot food and takeaway traders in Berwick Street and Strutton Ground would face the largest increases, with daily charges potentially rising to between £39 and £44 depending on the day of the week. By contrast, traders at Maida Hill Market would see smaller increases, with hot food vendors paying between £31 and £36 a day.

The proposals would also increase the cost of permanent licences for non-food traders to £964, up from £96, representing a 904 per cent rise. Evening Standard reports this change would affect traders in Soho, Westminster, Marylebone and Maida Vale. Council officers told the Licensing Committee that even if the increases are approved, the street trading service would still face a shortfall of approximately £1.6 million.

Traders have warned they are already struggling. One told the Licensing Committee that the council is asking for 'an enormous amount of money', noting that produce costs have risen and calling the proposed fees 'too much'. Another vendor trading on Berwick Street said: 'It is too soon to be posing costs this high on traders who are really struggling to get through.' The council is analysing responses to a consultation that finished at the end of September, with any approved changes due to come into force in January 2027.

How it is being reported

• Westminster market traders face pitch fee rises of up to 90 per centVendors have warned they are already struggling as Westminster Council considers major hikes to trading chargesEvening Standard · 2 Nov, 18:08
• Fees for new market traders in central London could soar by 900%The fee increases could affect traders in the neighbourhoods of Soho, Westminster, Marylebone and Maida ValeEvening Standard · 1 Nov, 15:00
• 'Struggling' market traders in one London borough face huge rise in weekend pitch feesDaily pitch fees are proposed to rise from £22 to £42 in some casesMyLondon · 1 Nov, 07:27

In this story: Westminster City Council · Westminster · Berwick Street · Strutton Ground · Maida Hill Market · Soho · Marylebone · Maida Vale

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log