Street Collections

A summary of the regulation relating to Street Collections  Police, Factories, & c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 (External Link)

Please be aware that House to House Collections (including pub to pub) are regulated separately.

It is the Council's usual Policy that only one collection is allowed per year per area due to the number of charities / organisations wishing to hold collections.  In particular within the main Wigan and Leigh Town Centres.

If you have a particular date in mind for your proposed collection you are advised to contact us to make sure the date is available.

Applications must be made at least 28 days prior to any proposed collection.

Application Process

Prior to the Collection - Making an Application

There is no fee associated with this application.  Where applicable, completed applications should be accompanied with the following:-

• Literature / Information about the charity / organisation who will benefit
• Letter of authority from the charity / organisation which is benefiting from the collection
• Copy of any contracts between the applicant and the benefiting charity / organisation
• Last audited accounts of benefiting charity (please include a reason within the application if accounts cannot be provided)

Failure to submit the relevant information could lead to a delay with your application.

We will begin processing your application on receipt, unless there is a problem, in which case we will aim to contact you within 5 working days of receipt.

As we recommend that applications for street collection permits are made at least 28 days in advance of any proposed collection your application will be considered during this period, and a permit issued before the proposed collection date.

If you have not heard from the Licensing Section within the target completion period you will be able to act as though your application is granted.  However we would always advise you to contact us prior to carrying out any collection if you have not received a permit.  You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service (External Link) or use the contact details below. 

We will notify the Police of any application for a street collection permit and may also contact other local authorities where similar collections have been undertaken.

After the Collection

Once the collection has taken place you will need to submit a form of statement stating how much money has been raised and the amounts used for any expenses such as printing, stationery, collecting boxes etc..  This form must be submitted within one month of your collection.

The form must be certified by the promoter of the collection and either an accountant or independent responsible person. 

It is a legal requirement that even if no collection took place, you must submit a 'Nil' return. 

Returns can be submitted online or by post to the Licensing Section at the address given below.

• Apply online for a street collection permit (External Link)
• Downloadable application for a street collection permit (.pdf, 35kb)
• Submit a return online (for a collection that has taken place) (External Link)

Where a licence is granted the collection must be carried out in compliance with the  Street Collection Regulations (.pdf, 167kb)

The legislation does not require a public register to be kept.  However we do publish a  list of the collections / fundraising  approved or agreed by the Council's Licensing Section.

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the service provider 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 (External Link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (External Link) .