Auction Premises Registrations

Licence summary

To sell goods by competitive bidding in the City of Westminster you may need to register the premises in which you carryout an auction.  A registration will be given by the Council under the provisions of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1984, Part VI (1984 Act).

Eligibility Criteria

An applicant must:

• provide their fall name and address;
• a plan of the premises must be submitted with the application;
• have not carried out a business in a manner which is detrimental to the interests of consumers;

• if the premises requires planning consent the applicant must obtain the relevant consent prior to apply for a registration.

Regulation Summary

The legislation relating to this Act is not available online.  If you wish to obtain a copy of the 1984 Act please visit the Office of Public Sector Information and follow the contact us links.  

Application Evaluation Process

The application must be accompanied by the council's fee.  The fees list contains the current fee payable for each application type. 

The Licensing Authority will take into account the suitability of the person, premises or stall.

If the Council refuses your application you will be given the opportunity to appear before the Licensing Authority at a public hearing.  The hearing will take place in front of the Licensing Sub-Committee and you will be given the opportunity to address the reasons for refusal.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes – if the application is unopposed. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Licensing Authority by the end of the target completion period.  For this formality the target determination period will be 30 calendar days.

Apply Online

You can apply to register a premises for the sale of goods by auction by clicking below.

• Apply for registration of premises for the sale of goods by competitive bidding (auction)

NOTE: Please note that when you click on the link above you will be redirected to the governments Business Link website.  If you don't have a Government Gateway account you will need to create one before you can proceed to the relevant form.  You will be directed to register with the Government Gateway to receive your Gateway ID number.  If you already have a Government Gateway account or you have just registered you will be invited to log in prior to completing the application.  This account is necessary as it will ensure that your details are pulled through to the relevant form and will enable you to track your applications once they've been submitted.

Apply Via Post

If you wish to apply to register a premises for the sale of goods by auction via the post please contact the Licensing Service to order a paper form.  You can order the required form by emailing: generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk or telephoning 020 7641 8549.

Register

A public register is available to view at the Council's Offices during normal office hours.  To make an appointment to view the register please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8549 or alternatively email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Failed Application or Licence Holder Redress

Please contact the Licensing Authority in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision following a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing you may appeal to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX within 21 days of the notice of the decision.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

The council operates a complaints procedure.  To view the complaints procedure or to make a complaint relating to the service you have received please click here.

Other Redress

If there is a concern about noise, pollution, etc please contact Westminster City Council's Environmental Action Line on 020 7641 2000 (24 hrs) or email environmentalactionline@westminster.gov.uk.  Also should any person has a complaint relating to a registered premises or suspect a premises is operating without the required registration please contact the Council's Licensing Inspectors on 020 7641 3385 or email premiseslicensinginspectorate@westminster.gov.uk.

Trade Associations

Livestock Auctioneers' Association (LAA)

National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA)

Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers(SOFAA)