It's illegal in this country to hold a street collection to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes without getting a street collection permit from us if that collection is to be held 'in a street or public place'. A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has access'.

It's often assumed that collections held in shop doorways or car parks do not need a street collection licence because they are being held on 'privately owned land'. This is not true, as the legislation doesn't mention the ownership of the land, or treat collections on 'privately owned land' as exempt from the licensing regulations.

A shop doorway or car park, when that shop is open for trading, is a 'public place' because the public has access at that time. Only local authorities issue street collection permits under Section 5 of the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, as amended by the Local Government Act 1972 and Schedule 29 of that act.

Before applying for a Street Collection permit within Shropshire, the applicant must obtain permission to collect in that location from the land owner.

Shropshire Council do not issue Direct Debit collection permits (different conditions apply for Shrewsbury Town Centre, see below). We do appreciate a notification of intent if a Direct Debit collection is to take place. This is so we can ensure that there isn’t over saturation of charitable collections in town centres and that direct debit collections don’t coincide with Street Collections wherever possible.

In Shrewsbury town centre, different conditions apply to Street Collections and direct debit collections.

Street Collections may only take place on Pride Hill and The Square.

Pride Hill collections are restricted to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays between the times of 10am and 4 pm and a Street Collection Permit must be obtained from Shropshire Council.

Direct Debit collections may also only take place on Pride Hill. Shropshire Council has a Site Management Agreement in place with the Public Fundraising Association (PFRA) for Direct Debit Collections. These collections are restricted to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the times of 10am and 4 pm and applications must be made to the PFRA on info@institute-of-fundraising.org.uk or call 020 7840 1000.

Collections in The Square require a Street Collection Permit from Shropshire Council and permission to use the land from the Square Management Team. Please be aware there will be a fee for booking in The Square.

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