Street Collections

You need to apply for a permit to collect money for charity on the street, 28 days before the collection date.

Things you need to know

A street collection is a collection of money on the street for charitable purposes. Anyone wishing to carry out a street collection must apply for a street collection permit.  Permits are restricted to enable charities to raise money without their collections clashing with other charities.

Street collections are usually made by or for charities. A charity (or charitable organisation) need not necessarily be a registered charity but should have charitable aims, excluding political or commercial aims.

There is no cost in applying for a street collection permit but there are regulations and guidance which should be read before an application is made.

Please also note that people working for charities who ask the public to sign up to direct debits in the street to support a charity, do not need a street collection permit but their actions are regulated by the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association. More information can be found the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association website.

Private Land

If you intend to collect in 'private areas' (for example, Priory Meadow, Safeways car park), you do not need a street collection, but you will need permission from the owners of the land.

After the collection

When we issue the permit to you, you will also receive a Form of Statement.  You will need to complete this form, get it signed by an independent responsible person such as an accountant and return it to us within one month after the collection date. It is important you return the Form of Statement, as failure to do this could result in further applications being rejected and/or a fine. 

Application forms and guidelines

• Application for a Street Collection Permit - Annual Collections
• Application for a Street Collection Permit - Local Collection
• Street Collection Regulations
• List of Collectors
• Street Collections Return