Traders Information

What is it? 

Portishead Christmas Market is the biggest street Fayre in the town that attracts 1000's of visitors. To this day, the event is still set up and run by the Portishead Christmas Lights Team who are all volunteers and strive to make this event better and better every year.  

We have a few allocations for all types of stalls, and we work on a first come first serve basis. 

To apply for a pitch, please email -  apossetchristmasmarket@gmail.com

Please note the event has no Political affiliation nor do we hold a competition licence, for these reasons we cannot accept bookings for stalls linked to political organisation's and Competitions. Over the years we have had feedback re the nature and number of certain stalls, so we reserve the right to decline any booking due to duplication or historical adverse feed back.  

Licencing 

The event has been designated a closed event by NSC thus the following licencing conditions are imposed upon us, and we must pass on:  

Crafters (Home and Commercial) and Commercial Food -  As this event is a ‘Closed Event’ as defined by NSC, there is no requirement for Street Trading licence to be issued. (For the avoidance of doubt a TENS or charity licence may still be required) 

Charity Pitches - collection licence from North Somerset Council, a copy of which needs to be given to Portishead Christmas lights by 31st October 2024. 

Sale of Alcohol – Any trader selling alcohol will need to apply for and obtain a TENS licence from North Somerset Council. Portishead Christmas lights will need a copy of your licence by 31st October 2024. Failure to produce a valid Licence for this event will result in you not being able to trade at the event, and you will not receive a refund on your pitch. 

Stall Type 

The event has several types of pitch that can be booked dependant on how you trade. We ask you book the appropriate pitch type based on your trading pattern; all traders will require £5M public liability insurance (this is a NSC stipulation);

Crafter (Home) - This Pitch is for:- Non-commercial make at home crafting. This means all the items you sell must be hand made. This pitch is not for baked goods or similar (for example, brownies, cakes, chocolate, pick and mix, scotched eggs etc) Licencing fees included in the pitch fees already. So, there is no need to worry about applying for a Licence.

Crafter (Commercial) –This Pitch is for: - Crafting, where you have purchased premade crafts as a finished product and you, yourself have not hand made the items at home. Also, this pitch is for the sale of baked goods or similar (for example, brownies, cakes, chocolate, pick and mix, scotched eggs etc) whether you have hand made the items or not. Licencing fees included in the pitch fees already. So, there is no need to worry about applying for a Licence

Commercial Food Pitch - This applies to any pitches selling food and drinks to be consumed on site and note intended for gifting, etc. We will need a copy of your food hygiene certificate and a minimum of £5 public liability insurance. - Licencing fees included in the pitch fees already. So, there is no need to worry about applying for a Licence

Charity Pitch - You need to be a charity with a registered Charity number or Community Interest Company (CIC) You will need to apply for a street collection licence from North Somerset Council without this you can't attend the event. Portishead Christmas Lights (the organisers) reserves the right to refuse applications without having to justify its decision.

Traders will need to bring their own table(s) and are permitted to erect temporary gazebos or stalls. If electrical power is need, you are permitted to bring a small, low noise, diesel powered generator. 

Allocation of pitches at the event is at the sole discretion of Portishead Christmas Lights. Please note that it is a paved or tarmac surface. Please bring appropriate weights for any gazebos/tents as anchors. You cannot use pegs to peg them down with. 

Please ensure you have Public Liability insurance of £5m and that you have a valid risk assessment. If you are selling food products, you will also need a Food Hygiene Certificate. 

All traders are reminded that this is an outdoor event. There is NO indoor space. Please ensure that your set up equipment includes protection to protect you and your product should the heavens open. As this is an outdoor event there could be a chance of bad weather. If this is the case and the event is cancelled there will be no refunds as the proceeds go to the running of the Portishead Christmas Lights and the event. There will also be no compensation for loss of earnings. 

CHECK IN

Check in time is at 12:15pm, please do not arrive any earlier than 12:15 pm as you will not be allowed in to start setting up on site. You will be asked to come back at 12:15pm at the check in location.  You must be on the event site by 1pm. Any later than you may be refused entry and not able to trade. 

The check in location is at the Old Mill Pub end of town 

(Entry via Wyndham Way only) 

Postcode BS206AF   

What3words ///broker.glorified.marble 

There is no other access to site. If you arrive at any other location, you will be refused entry and be asked to check in at the Old Mill Pub end of town.  

The event trading times are 2pm to 6pm.

All stall holders must be off the public highway by 8:00pm.