How to apply for a seasonal concession licence

Please note: We are now taking applications for Summer 2026 Seasonal Licences (starting 1st April 2026). Our online portal is open for applications from Friday 16th January 2026 and will close on Sunday 1st February 2026. If you have any questions please get in touch with the Concessions Team: concessions@adur-worthing.gov.uk

• Concession licence fees
• List of available concession pitches
• How to apply for a Seasonal Concession Licence
• Apply for a Single Use Concession Permit
• Seasonal concessions FAQs

Concession licence fees 2026

Following the ongoing progress of the concessions programme, a review of the fees has been undertaken ahead of Summer 2026.

All net income derived from concessions supports the continued delivery of front-line services at the councils.

Full payment for the agreed licence period and any legal costs incurred in preparation of the licence, along with an administration fee of £55.00 is required in advance of the start date by the applicant, unless an instalment plan has been agreed.

If an instalment plan is agreed, prompt payment of each invoice is expected. Failure to complete payment within 30 days of the invoice being issued may result in termination of licence and/or loss of ability to apply for a licence in the subsequent two seasons.

Please note:

* The Summer season is April to September inclusive
** The Winter season is October to March inclusive
*** There is no peak month price for watersports or other leisure uses

For all pitches:

• The council reserves the right to charge an enhanced fee for premium pitches, categorised by being adjacent to high footfall, year-round attractions.
• VAT is charged where applicable. Usually, VAT only applies to 'ambulatory' concessions.
• A deposit of £50.00 is payable upon collection of an access key, where required. The deposit will be returned in full providing the key is returned within seven days of the licence ending. Outside the seven-day period, the deposit will be returned at the council's discretion.

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List of available concession pitches

Summer pitches 2026 (57 pitches available).

The following pitches are available for application to the Summer 2026 season:
Location / Cluster name / Pitch reference / Summer price

7 x Food Pitches:

• Worthing: Dome Cluster 2: DO/CS002-F: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Heene Cluster 1: HE/CS001-F: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Lido Cluster 1: LI/CS001-F: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Lido Cluster 2: LI/CS002-S: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Thorn Cluster 4: TH/CS004-F: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Travelodge Cluster 1: TR/CS001-F: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Waterwise Cluster 2: WA/CS001-F: £2,070.00

9 x Refreshments Pitches:

• Adur: Adur River Cluster 1: AD/CS001-R: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Brooklands Cluster 3: BR/CS003-R: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Crescent Cluster 2: CR/CS002-R: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Dome Cluster 3: DO/CS003-R: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Grand Cluster 2: GR-CS002-R: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Heene Cluster 2: HE/CS002-R: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Heene Cluster 3 (eve): HE/CS003-R: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Thorn Cluster 3: TH/CS003-R: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Travelodge Cluster 2: TR/CS002-R: £2,655.00

11 x Food/Refreshments Pitches:

• Adur: Adur River Cluster 2: AD/CS002-R: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Dome Cluster 4: DO/CS004-FR: £2,655.00
• Adur: Kingston Lighthouse 1: KI/CS001-R: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Parks - Highdown Rise 5: WP/CS005-R: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Parks - Homefield Park 1: WP/CS001-R: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Parks - Pond Lane Park 2: WP/CS002-R: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Parks - Storrington Rise 4: WP/CS004-R: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Parks - Victoria Park 3: WP/CS003-R: £2,070.00
• Adur: Shoreham Beach Cluster 1: SH/CS001-FR: £2,070.00
• Worthing: Teville Gate 7: WP/CS007-FR: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Teville Gate 8: WP/CS008-FR: £1,440.00

8 x Ice Cream Pitches:

• Adur: Ferry Road Cluster (cart) 2: FE/CS002-I: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Grand Cluster (van) 1: GR/CS001-I: £3,015.00
• Adur: Kingston Lighthouse Cluster (van) 3: KI/CS003-I: £2,655.00
• Adur: Shoreham Beach (electric van) 2: SH/CS002-I: £2,655.00
• Adur: Southwick Rec (van) 1: SO/CS001-I: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Thorn Cluster (van) 1: TH/CS001-I: £3,015.00
• Worthing: Waterwise Cluster (bespoke unit) 2: WA/CS002-I: £2,655.00
• Worthing: Windsor Cluster (van) 1: WI/CS001-I: £2,655.00

22 x Leisure and Arts/Crafts Pitches:

• Worthing: Brooklands Cluster 1: BR/CS001-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Brooklands Cluster 2: BR/CS002-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Crescent Cluster 3: CR/CS003-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Dome Cluster 1: DO/CS001-L: £1,440.00
• Adur: Ferry Road Cluster 1: FE/CS001-L: £1,440.00
• Adur: Ferry Road Cluster 3: FE/CS003-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Grand Cluster 3: GR-CS003-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Heene Cluster 4: HE/CS004-L: £1,440.00
• Adur: Kingston Lighthouse Cluster 2: KI/CS002-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Lido Cluster 3: LI/CS003-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Marine Cluster 1: MA-CS001-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Marine Cluster 2 (Seating Only): MA-CS002-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Plantation Cluster 1: PL-CS001-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Sea Lane Cluster 1: SE/CS001-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Sea Lane Cluster 2 (Sauna): SE/CS002-L: £1,440.00
• Adur: Shoreham Beach Cluster 3: SH/CS003-L: £1,440.00
• Adur: Southwick Square 1: SQ/CS001-LFR: £1,440.00
• Adur: Southwick Square 2: SQ/CS002-LFR: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Thorn Cluster 2 (Sauna): TH/CS002-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Travelodge Cluster 3: TR/CS003-R: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Waterwise Cluster 3: WA/CS003-L: £1,440.00
• Worthing: Windsor Cluster 2: WI/CS002-L: £1,440.00

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How to apply for a Seasonal Concession Licence

We are currently marketing available concession pitches for the Summer 2026 season:

• The Summer season starts from 1st April and continues through to 30th September each year
• The closing date for all Summer 2026 applications is Sunday 1st February 2026
• All applications will be considered by the Concessions Panel during the week commencing 16th February 2026. A decision regarding a licence offer will be made by the panel once all applications have been reviewed.
• We will aim to notify applicants of the outcome of their application during the last week of February.

Note: all applications for Summer 2026 must be made via the online system by the deadline given. Outside this period, it will be at the councils' discretion whether to accept any further applications. Priority will be given to businesses that are ready to trade from 1st April 2026, and who have all their documentation in place.

Our online portal is open for applications from Friday 16th January 2026 and will close on Sunday 1st February 2026.

Please use the link below to access our online application system:

Apply for a Summer 2026 Seasonal Concession Licence

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How to apply for a Single Use Concession Permit

Alongside changing trading habits of our local food concessions, we are introducing Single Use Concession Permits (subject to availability). These permits allow food traders to operate on vacant promenade pitches in Worthing for up to three days at a time.

Under our current conditions of licence for a Seasonal Concession operator, a minimum number of opening days must be achieved each week to ensure adequate opening times are maintained for the period of the licence. With many food traders booked for events in the summer, this often prevents them from taking on a standard 6-month Seasonal Concession Licence. By offering Single Use Permits of one, two, or three consecutive days, food traders can still participate in the promenade concession programme without needing to commit to a full-season licence. We also hope that this will encourage activity on the promenade and create small, unique food clusters during periods where the food pitches remain available for licence.

Please note that pitches are intended for 'food' use only. This does not include café refreshment units or ice cream vans, but can include smoothies and milkshakes, juice bars, and pop-up bars (providing a TEN or valid personal licensing is in effect).

Our fee for a Single Use Concession Permit is £65.00 per day. For longer length, consecutive bookings, a discounted rate is available (2 days, 15% discount: £110.50, 3 days, 25% discount: £146.25).

Documentation Required:

In order to make an application for a permit, we do need to collect the following documentation from each applicant:

• A current valid copy of your PUBLIC liability insurance (please note that we do not require a copy of your EMPLOYERS liability insurance).
• A copy of your current, valid Gas Safety Certificate and/or Electric Inspection Certificate (EICR)
• A link to your Food Hygiene Rating on the FSA website
• A copy of your current Allergen Matrix, or the current Notice you display regarding Products containing Allergens
• A copy of your current, valid photocard driving licence
• A photo of your concession unit (and towing vehicle if this is separate), clearly showing the vehicle registration number, plus the make and model of vehicle
• A bespoke risk assessment for your actual concession unit, business and location of trading. Some examples of risks that you may wish to include are: slips and trips; manual handling; generator; burns, steam, hot water; access and set-up to your trading pitch including any furniture items; knives; food handling; allergens; electrical items; workplace temperature; gas leakage/fires. Please note that NCASS or equivalent template risk assessments are not acceptable

After your first booking, we will keep these on file for you until they expire, in case you would like to request another single use trading permit in the near future.

Conditions of service:

• The fee for a trading/promotional consent is payable upon confirmation of date(s). A link to pay online will be provided once your booking is confirmed
• All applicants are required to submit copies of all items listed above before a booking can be confirmed
• Consent may not be given for days when the location is already booked for another event (eg markets) or for when maintenance works are being carried out.
• Parking is not available at any pitch, except for the vehicle/unit associated with the concession
• Any waste created by the food concession must be removed from the site and disposed of correctly.
• The distribution of leaflets is not encouraged and any littering caused by leaflets/flyers will remain the responsibility of the hirer.
• Services (electricity/water) are currently unavailable at any pitch.
• Please ensure that a signed copy of this agreement remains in the trading unit on the day of your booking, and ensure that is available for inspection by any officer of the council

Apply for a Single Use Concession Permit:

Please use this form to apply for a Single Use Concession Permit:

• Single Use Concession Pitch Application (2026) - to type into (271KB)
• Single Use Concession Pitch Application (2026) - to hand write (163KB)

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Seasonal concessions FAQs

What is a seasonal concession?

A temporary consent to trade from land owned by Adur & Worthing Councils, where no council building is rented for exclusive use or significant occupation takes place.

Examples of seasonal concessions include ice cream vans, water sport activities, art stalls and food vendors.

A seasonal concession licence is not a permanent lease and only applies for the time the personal licence is issued for and with the person named in the licence.

Any vehicle used to tow a unit, trailer or equipment to the pitch must be removed during trading hours as it is only the main unit or trailer that is licensed to be on-site. Outside trading hours, all equipment including vehicles, units and trailers must be removed from the pitch and returned only during trading hours, ie no equipment, vehicle, unit or trailer can remain overnight at any location.

What can I do if I want to trade at a location other than the concession pitches listed?

We have a wide range of locations across Adur and Worthing available for a number of uses by concessional traders, please see:

• Map of all the concession locations

If you wish to trade from somewhere other than the designated pitch locations you may need to apply for a street trading permit. For more information please see:

• Street trading

Can I sell alcohol under a seasonal concession licence?

A seasonal concession licence does not permit you to sell or serve alcohol at any time. If you wish to offer alcohol you will need to apply for an additional licence through our Licensing Unit. If you only want to sell alcohol occasionally you can apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). For regular alcohol sales you will need to apply for a Personal or Premises Licence. To find out more please see:

• Licensing Act 2003

Is electricity available at each concession pitch?

A few of the pitches do have access to an electricity point, which can be used by the allocated concession (recharges will apply for using this facility). Where an electricity point is not available, alternative means of power including solar and battery power should be considered in the first instance.

The councils have recently begun a review of generator usage with a view to encouraging alternative power sources and lowering the potential impact of generator use on the environment. Generators will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances where no other means of power are available. When diesel or petrol generators are to be used then the noise from these shall not exceed 50dB LAeq at the nearest boundary to noise sensitive premises.

How do I access the promenade or my allocated pitch if there is a gate or barrier?

Where access through a gate, barrier or bollard is required to travel to your allocated pitch, you will be loaned an access key or provided a keycode for the padlock. This will be for your use only and a refundable deposit is required when you collect a physical key. You will also need to sign an agreement confirming you take responsibility for ensuring that other than when you need to obtain access to your pitch the access point will remain locked at all times, to prevent any unauthorised access.

What can I do if I have misplaced, lost or broken an access key?

In the first instance, please visit our Coastal Office on the promenade next to The Lido where a replacement key can be issued. Please remember that the access key is your responsibility at all times, and no loans will be made if the one issued is misplaced, lost or broken. In these incidents, a new one will need to be purchased; otherwise access to the promenade/pitch will not be permitted/attained.

How do concession operators manage their waste?

All of our concession traders will need to provide a valid Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note. This confirms that their general and recyclable waste is being managed correctly and not disposed of within residential waste. We encourage our licensees to recycle as much waste as possible, and provide recycling points for their customers as well as use recyclable or biodegradable products.

Can I promote my business rather than be a licensed concession?

We welcome applications from businesses wishing to promote their products and services. This is managed through our promotional service and can be applied for separately through our website, see:

• Promotional stand pitches in Adur and Worthing

Please note that at present we have eight pitches available for promotional stands:

• In Adur: East Street, Shoreham and Southwick Square
• In Worthing: Montague Place, Portland Road, The Beacon on the Promenade, East Beach, Waterwise Playground & Garden, and Goring Beach

Further information

If you have any further questions, please contact the Concessions Team:

• concessions@adur-worthing.gov.uk

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