Competitive bidding
Auction registration
To sell goods by way of competitive bidding (auction) from premises within The City of London, you may need to register the premises with The City of London Corporation. Premises includes any land or stall such as a stand, marquee, tent, vehicle (whether mobile or not), site or pitch from which articles are sold.
Registrations are issued under the provisions of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984, Part VI (1984 Act) and are subject to the standard conditions for competitive bidding as prescribed by the City of London Corporation. Once granted, the registration is valid indefinitely to the owner. If ownership of the premises changes hands, then a new registration will have to be applied for.
Completed applications should be sent to
City of London Licensing Team
PO Box 270
Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
If you would like more advice or assistance with an application or licence please contact the licensing team by phone on 020 7332 3406 or send an email to the Licensing Team.
Registrations for competitive bidding are issued under the provisions of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984, Part VI (1984 Act).
In the case of premises, the applicant must be the occupier of, or a person proposing to occupy, the premises or, in the case of a stall, the applicant must be the proprietor of, or a person proposing to become the proprietor of, the stall. In both cases, the application must be accompanied by the fee and the following information must be given:
- the name and address of the applicant
- the address or situation of the premises or stall to which the application relates and
- such other information regarding the premises or stall, the persons concerned or intended to be concerned in the conduct or management of any sale of goods by way of competitive bidding thereon or therefrom, and the manner in which the premises or stall are to be used as the borough council may reasonably require.
All applicants, occupiers or proprietors for the time being of the premises or stall must be fit and proper persons to be concerned in the conduct or management of any sale of goods by way of competitive bidding.
The Licensing Authority will take into account the suitability of the applicant and the premises or stall.
If the Licensing Authority is minded to refuse your application you will be given the opportunity to appear at a public hearing before a committee of the City Corporation, where you will be given the opportunity to address the reasons for refusal.
Yes – if the application is unopposed. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Licensing Authority within 28 days of the date of your application.
Please contact the Licensing Authority in the first instance. If you wish to appeal against a decision following a committee hearing you may appeal to the City of London Magistrates Court, 1 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4XY, within 21 days of the notice of the decision.
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, Advice and support for consumers in the City of London is provided by Citizens Advice consumer service. More information can be found on the City of London Trading Standards page (LINK)
Any person who has concerns about a premises operating without the required registration or wishes to make a complaint about a licensed premises should contact the Licensing team by phone on 020 7332 3406 or send an email to the Licensing Team.