Licensing

A street collection is a means of collecting money from members of the public for the benefit of charitable or other similar purposes.

In order to be able to carry out a street collection in our area you will need to make an application to us for a permit.

Applications will be determined in line with the Council's Policy on Street Collections, which can be found here:

pdf Street Collections Policy (74 KB)

Due to the limits in place on the number of collections that will be permitted each year, it is worth making contact with us first to see if the date on which you wish to carry out your collection is available. You can do this by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning 01905 822799.

Note: If you plan to run an activity i.e. choir/dance performance alongside your street collection, you will also need to book High Street space with Worcester City Council's City Centre Team via our Events Application Portal.

Apply online

You can apply online for a permit via the Gov.uk website

Apply online

Apply by post

To apply by post for a permit you will need to complete the following form:

document Application form (539 KB)

The form should then be returned to us either:

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Post: Worcester City Council Licensing, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Wyre Forest House, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 7WF

There is no fee payable when applying for a street collection permit.

Will tacit consent apply?

No, it is in the public interest that we consider and processes all applications.

After the collection has taken place

After your collection has taken place you must provide confirmation of the amount of money you have collected and details of any expenses you have incurred as part of the collection. This must be done within one month of the collection taking place.

You can submit a return online via the GOV.UK website

Submit a return online

The street collection return form template can be downloaded here:

document Collection return template (45 KB)

Gambling Act 2005 – Publication of Revised Statement of Principles

The Council publishes a Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

This document outlines the principles the Council intends to apply when exercising its functions over the three-year period beginning from the date the statement takes effect

The revised Statement of Principles came into effect on 31 January 2025.

You can view the current pdf Statement of Principles online here (577 KB) .

Alternatively, the statement is available for inspection by appointment.  To arrange an appointment, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Temporary use notices (TUNs) allow a premises to be used for gambling on a temporary basis, where there is no premises licence in place. Premises that might be suitable for a TUN would include hotels, conference centres, and sporting venues.

We can only grant a TUN to a person or company holding a relevant operating licence issued by the Gambling Commission. The type of gambling allowed under a TUN is restricted to any form of equal chance gaming where those taking part in the gaming are taking part in a competition which is intended to produce a single, overall winner - not by use of a machine. An example of this might be a poker tournament.

Applications

A TUN must be lodged with us not less than three months and one day before the day on which the gambling event will begin.

The fees we currently charge under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on our licensing fees and charges page.

Your application and fee should be sent to:

Worcester City Council Licensing, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Wyre Forest House, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 7WF

Your application must also be copied to the following addresses:

The Gambling Commission, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP

West Mercia Police, Worcester Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QX

H M Revenue & Customs, National Registration Unit (Betting & Gaming), Portcullis House, 21 India Street, Glasgow, G2 4PZ

The TUN application form can be downloaded below:

document Temporary Use Notification form (99 KB)

If the application is in respect of a vessel, please use the form below:

document Temporary Use Notice form (Vessel) (108 KB)

The intention behind occasional use notices (OUNs) is to permit licensed betting operators (with the appropriate permission from the Gambling Commission) to take bets at tracks used for short periods, where the event upon at which the betting is to take place is of a temporary, infrequent nature. The OUN removes the need for a betting premises licence for the track in these circumstances. These notices can only be used for eight days or less in a calendar year, and are usually used to allow betting at point-to-point race meetings.

Applications

The OUN must be served by the person who is responsible organising the event on the track or by the owner of the track. The notice must be served on us and copied to the police at the following two addresses:

1. Worcester City Council Licensing, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Wyre Forest House, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 7WF
2. West Mercia Police, Worcester Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QX

The OUN form can be downloaded here:

document Occasional Use Notice application form (41 KB)

The OUN must set out the day on which the betting will take place. OUNs may be given in relation to consecutive days, so long as the overall limit of eight days is not exceeded in the calendar year.

Provided that the OUN will not result in betting facilities being available for more than eight days in a calendar year, there can be no objections raised to an OUN.

You do not have to pay a fee when serving an OUN.