Conditions and Regulations for Outdoor Open Markets

A licensed stallholder is one who has registered annually with the Council and has been allocated a pitch for each market day within the licensed period, which runs from April 1st to March 31st of the following year. The stallholder must comply fully with the Council’s regulations regarding the payment of fees and market operations.

Casual stallholders must apply for a licence at least 36 hours in advance, with fees paid via invoice. Council officers have the right to inspect licences on market day. Any stallholder without a valid licence will be invoiced.

Casual traders can request to be placed on a waiting list.

If a permanent pitch becomes available, priority will be given to:

• Existing licensed stallholders who submit a written application.
• Casual traders on the waiting list.

When allocating pitches, the Council will consider stall size, product type, and overall market balance.

Pwllheli Market: A maximum of two traders selling the same product.

Porthmadog and Caernarfon Markets: A maximum of one trader per product type.

• If the Council determines that a certain product type is oversaturated, no further traders selling that product will be allowed.
• If a licensed stallholder fails to occupy their pitch by 8:00 AM, the pitch may be reallocated for that day.
• The Council may cancel a pitch allocation on a specific day for maintenance or other works. No charges will be applied in such cases.
• If a stallholder misses three consecutive weeks (except January-March) without a valid reason, the pitch will be considered vacant. Valid reasons require documentary proof (e.g., medical certificates).
• The Council will not accept absence notifications from third parties. Stallholders must report absences directly to the Parking and Street Works Service at 01766 771000.
• Stallholders must only use their allocated pitches.Any changes to a stall’s size or location require Council permission.
• The Council reserves the right to terminate a stallholder’s contract with one week’s notice.

• The sale, assignment, or sub-letting of stalls is prohibited. A license transfer may be considered with written Council approval.
• Stalls must be operated by the licensed stallholder or their employee(s) during market hours.
• A licensed stallholder must attend at least 24 market days per year (excluding Caernarfon’s Tuesday market).
• Stallholders can only sell products specified in their license unless written permission is granted.
• Stallholders must keep all products within their stall boundaries.
• Food vendors must comply with UK and EU food safety regulations and register with their local Environmental Health department.
• In particular all food that is handled, stored, packaged, displayed and transported shall be protected against any contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, injurious to health. Food must be so placed and/or protected as to minimise any risk.
• Stallholders must register with the Environmental Health/ Public Protection Service of the Local Authority that they are based in accordance with the Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006.

All stallholders must:

• Display their business name and UK contact address.
• Clearly mark prices on all items for sale.
• Ensure their products are safe and do not infringe trademark laws.

The sale of live animals, fish, birds, and other fowl is prohibited.

The sale of dangerous weapons is prohibited.

The following activities are not permitted:

• Acupuncture
• Ear piercing
• Tattooing (except airbrushing)
• Electrolysis

• Licensed stallholders can apply for an annual or seasonal permit. The seasonal permit is valid from April 1st – September 30th, and includes two days in December before the Christmas period.
• Casual stallholders must apply for a license at least 36 hours before it is required.
• Stall fees are determined by the Council. Changes to stall size or location require approval.

Absences and Refunds

• If a trader is medically unfit for over four weeks, a partial refund may be granted upon proof.
• Returning before a medical certificate expires voids the certificate for all Gwynedd markets.
• Market fees must be paid via invoice. The invoice amount must be paid in full before the end of the year, and before applying for a renewal license. Non-payment may result in contract termination and further action.
• Stallholders must pay for their allocated pitch regardless of attendance, except in exceptional circumstances.

Vehicles must not obstruct market areas. Stallholders need Council permission to park within their allocated space.

Vehicles will not be allowed to remain in the market area if, in the opinion of the Council, they cause obstruction or cause inconvenience to the public or other stallholders.

Unloading must be completed before market opening

Loading times:

• Summer (April-September): Not before 4:00pm
• Winter (October-March): Not before 3:00pm

• Stalls, vehicles, and goods must be removed within one hour of closing.
• Stallholders must inform the Council in writing of any business name or address changes.
• Stalls must be kept clean and in good condition.
• Public liability insurance (£5 million minimum) is required. Proof must be provided before trading.
• Stallholders must dispose of all waste responsibly at the end of the market day.

Due to the popularity of Y Maes, Caernarfon for events, reasonable requests for flexibility may be required from stall holders. The Council will communicate any necessary adjustments in advance whenever possible.

Noise and Disturbance:

• No hawking, shouting, or noise-making to attract customers.
• No harassment or threats towards Council officers.
• No behaviours causing nuisance, alarm, or distress.

Breaching these conditions may result in formal action or loss of trading rights.

The stallholder will have no claim against the Council for any loss, injury or damage sustained through fire, theft or being forcibly evicted from the market because of any breach of any of these conditions or for any other cause whatsoever.

• Stall setup is allowed only between 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM (previous day) or from 6:00 AM (market day).
• Anchor points for guy ropes have been provided and such ropes must not be attached to any other street fixture or fittings or any tree. Such ropes must be clearly marked so that the public are fully aware of their existence.
• No stalls or other goods may be placed on any part of the central roadway through the market which is coloured with red tar macadam. This is to allow access to the market for Emergency Vehicles in the event of fire or accident.
• The maximum frontage of stall shall be 9.10m (30’) and the standard depth of a stall shall be 3.95m (13’).
• All entrances to Y Maes shall be kept clear of any obstruction at all times.

• The market shall run from the first Friday in April or the Friday before Good Friday, whichever is the sooner until the last Friday in December, each year.
• No stall may be erected, or goods or equipment placed, on the market before 6.00 AM on market day.
• Nothing shall be placed, erected, sited on, or shall overhang any part of the footway between the Car Park and Heol y Parc.
• The small entry gate into the Park must be kept clear at all times.
• The maximum frontage of stall shall be 7.40m (24’) and the standard depth of a stall shall be 3.95m (13’) .

These conditions are supplementary to the Council’s Open Market Conditions:

• The Saturday Market will operate every Saturday from the 1st April until the 31st March (Summer Season 1st June – 31st August).
• The Tuesday Market will operate every Tuesday for 22 weeks commencing First Tuesday in May and ending on the last Tuesday in September – in addition to the two Mondays prior to Christmas Day.
• No stall may be erected, without the prior consent of the Council before 4.30 AM on the day of the Market, during the period 1st April until 30th September and 5:00 AM on the day of the Market, during 1st October until 31st March.

Annual Leave

• Saturday Market – No Leave, April to December
• Tuesday Market – 2 (Two) days, to be taken anytime.

Stallholders must not tie any rope to or place anything against any tree, post or other item of street furniture.

The Maes at Caernarfon is a no parking zone however stallholders’ vehicles will be allowed within the market area to provide protection from other moving traffic.

(Created 2013, Amended 2025)