Informal Beach Trading creates an opportunity for informal traders to trade legally on our beaches. Due to the defined beach space and the demand for a desirable product range the trader has a fair opportunity to generate a reasonable daily income.

For the City, Informal Beach Trading contributes to the creation of jobs and has the potential to expand its economic base.

Informal Beach Trading allows for the effective and efficient management of beaches ensuring the protection of our natural resources and the creation of a healthy synergy between traders and beach users. The City’s law enforcement ensures the rights of the trader are protected from any illegal trading that may occur on the beaches.

The City monitors and regulates beach trading, and has developed an official process, application form and schedule:

Click here for the process of issuing an Informal Beach Trading Permit.
Click here for an application form for an Informal Beach Trading Permit.
Click here for the schedule of Informal Beach Traders.

To following criteria are considered when allocating Informal Beach Trading Permits:

• The trader should be a bona fide informal trader - not formal business trader operating from a "brick and mortar" structure.
  
• Preference is given to traders who have the ability to operate for six days per week during the compulsory period as opposed to occasional / casual traders.
  
• Only one permit per trader is allocated on a citywide basis.
  
• Unemployed people are given preference.
  
• New applicants are given preference when the initial adjudication is done, per trading activity.
  
  

Click here for more information on the developmental aspects of informal trading, the five trading categories, as well as the types of products and services offered by beach traders.