The Council work with the police to make it difficult for stolen goods to be sold on. Second hand shops do not want to deal in stolen property, and as such, we require that in the Wigan Borough they are registered with us and that they keep records. These records allow traders to protect themselves from unknowingly purchasing stolen goods.
Duties of a dealer in second hand goods
As a Dealer in Second Hand Goods you must:
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Register yourself and your business premises with Wigan Council's Licensing Section. There is no charge for this service and registration lasts for three years. Failure to register carries a fine of £200.
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Display your Registration Certificate in your premises or market stall. Failure to do so carries a maximum fine of £50 plus £5 for each additional day where the Certificate is not displayed.
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Keep a record book of all transactions that you make. This must show:
- The date of the transaction
- The quantity and the description of the goods received
- The name and address of the person who supplied the goods to you
The record book must be kept for one year after the date of the last entry. Failure to enter a record in the book or to keep the book for the required period carries a maximum fine of £200.
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Do not obtain second hand goods from a person you know to be under 16 years old. If you do, you could face a maximum fine of £50.
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Allow authorised officers of Wigan Council (or Police Constables) to enter and inspect your premises and examine your record book.
Available documents:
