Market Policy
Frodsham Thursday Market Policy from 30 July 2025
1. Introduction
Frodsham’s Thursday Market is important to the local economy and the character of Frodsham. The Royal Charter underpins the historic status of Frodsham as a market town and celebrates and promotes the town’s historic significance.
The historic market contributes in many ways to the local communities it serves and markets Frodsham as a tourist destination.
It continues to maintain and promote a significant emphasis, with other businesses and community groups, on delivering economic regeneration and town centre vitality.
Frodsham’s Royal Charter holder (FRCH) has implemented a market policy, which sets out the basis on which the market(s) is/ are held and the process for which any other applications for any other market in the area is considered.
The Thursday Market is a commercial market, with a strong community ethos and has a reputation for welcoming and incorporating community-based and charitable concerns.
Our policy is based on consultations with NABMA.
The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.
2. Market
The market takes place every Thursday, as per the terms of the Royal Charter. Two additional markets are permitted on the first May Bank Holiday Monday and one in August. These market rights were granted to the Don family in 1975 by a Royal Charter decreed by King Charles II.
3. Market Rights
The right to hold a market gives the owner of the Royal Charter the ability and right to control other markets held within 6 2/3 miles of the Thursday Market.
4. A Market Event
(i) legal definition of a market: “concourse of buyers and sellers” (Thus, members of the public are entitled to attend market events in order to buy and sell goods.)
(ii) A market will comprise of not less than five stalls/ stands/ vehicles/ pitches, whether moveable or fixed, from which articles are sold.
(iii) There will be a designated operator of the market, who will be responsible for the organisation and delivery of the event.
(iv) The term “market event” includes car boot sales, antique, vintage and craft markets, general markets, farmers’ markets, youth markets, artisan markets, seasonal events and charity markets.
(v) A market may sometimes be held as an integral part of a special event. Where this situation arises, the market element will fall within the FRCH’s policy.
This FRCH’s policy is intended to encompass all market events held within Frodsham and its immediate environs.
5. Licensing of markets, under the terms of the FRCH’s policy.
The FRCH’s consent to a market event must be given no less than four weeks before another market takes place. A market will only be licensed once an application for a markets licence has been successfully pursued and confirmed in writing.
Any market that takes place without such a licence is in breach of the FRCH’s market policy and will be subject to enforcement action.
The FRCH will consider applications in respect of the following categories of market events:
(i) Commercial Markets
(ii) Community-based markets, including youth markets, with a strong charitable presence
(i) Commercial Markets
A commercial market is operated for profit and traders sell goods for their own individual purposes.
FRCH will consider applications from commercial markets that meet the following criteria:
a) No market will be considered within 6 2/3 miles of FRCH’s market, unless it can be proved beyond all reasonable doubt that a new market will not undermine the existing historic market and not prejudice the overall market offer.
b) In respect of consent, the operator must have adequate insurances, comply with trading standards guidelines, health and safety requirements and any other statutory provisions.
c) A fee will be paid in respect of any consent given by FRCH, which will be based on administration of the application process, the size and the frequency of the market.
d) The goods to be sold on the market will be approved by FRCH.
e) A licensing agreement will be entered into between the operator and FRCH and must be concluded before the market takes place.
f) FRCH will insist on such other requirements as are deemed appropriate to ensure consumer and public safety standards are respected.
(ii) Community-based markets with a charitable emphasis
Community-based markets are organised by/ for local communities or organisations with the intention of raising funds for a specific charity and/ or celebrating a special event.
FRCH will only consider applications in respect of community-based markets which adhere to the following guidelines:
a) The markets must be operated on a non-profit basis to support a charity or community event. The operator will supply all required information to FRCH, on request.
b) In order to gain consent, the operator must have appropriate insurances, comply with trading standards guidelines, health and safety requirements and all other statutory provisions.
c) A licensing agreement will be entered into between the operator and FRCH and must be concluded and authorised before the market takes place.
d) FRCH will apply other requirements as are deemed appropriate to ensure consumer and public safety standards.
Applications by commercial markets and community-based markets should be made by email to:
Jeanette Don
donjeanl@yahoo.co.uk
FRCH will endeavour to deal with each application for a market licence within a period of twenty-eight days from receipt of application.
Failure to provide all relevant information will lead to rejection and/ or delay in stipulated timeframes.
6. Fees
FRCH fee structure is currently under review. Prices are quoted on application.
7. Other Approvals
Any approval awarded by FRCH in respect of its Market Policy does not negate the requirement for other relevant approvals to be obtained.
Where the market is to be held on private or council-owned land, the approval of the landowner must be obtained. Traffic Regulation Orders may be required from Cheshire West & Chester Highways Department.
Planning permission may also be required and consultation with Cheshire West and Chester’s Planning Department may be appropriate.
The provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 may be relevant for any entertainment at the market. A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) may be necessary to authorise the sale of alcohol, hot food, and entertainment.
