You will require a Street Collection Permit to collect money (cash) or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other non-profit purposes, if that collection is to be held 'in a street or public place'. A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has access'. 

It is often assumed that collections can be held in shop doorways or car parks and do not need a Street Collection Permit because they are being held on 'privately owned land'. This is not true, as the legislation does not refer to the ownership of the land or street collections on 'privately owned land' as exempt from the licensing regulations. A shop doorway or car park, when that shop is open for trading, is a 'public place' because the public has access at that time, therefore will require a licence. If any collections take place within the shop, a permit is not required.

The purpose of the legal requirement to obtain consent is to ensure collectors are properly authorised, that money is collected in a secure way, and the total proceeds collected are properly accounted for.

Direct Debit Collections

Charities or non-profit organisations who obtain contact details for members of the public for the purposes of setting up a direct debit donation do not require a street collection permit. This is because they are not collecting money (cash).

We politely request that organisations wishing to collect customer details, for the purposes of direct debit donations, contact us to advise on which dates they will be collecting information and in which location in the district. 

To apply for a street collection permit, please complete the online application form.

There is a restriction of 40 street collections per year within the Winchester City Centre, albeit no such restriction applies outside of Winchester City Centre. No two charities will be permitted to collect on the same day in the same location, to ensure fairness. Please contact the Licensing Department to discuss availability for your chosen date/location. 

Please note that no completed booking application form for the next calendar year will be received any earlier than 1st October of the previous year, after which preference will be given to those charities set out in the Policy or on a ‘first come first served’ basis.   

For more information on how we administer Street Collections, please refer to the Street Collections Policy. You must comply with our Street Collection Conditions whilst undertaking your collection. 

Within one month after the date of any collection the person to whom the permit has been granted shall forward to Winchester City Council:

• A completed statement showing the amount received and the expenses and payments incurred in connection with such collection, and certified by the person and either a qualified accountant or an independent responsible person acceptable to Winchester City Council.
• A list of the collectors.
• A list of the amounts contained in each collection box.
• Within the same period above, a statement showing the name of the person to whom the permit has been granted, the area of the collection, the amount collected, and the amount of the expenses and payments incurred in connection with the collection shall be published in the local newspaper where the collection has taken place.

In the UK, there are a number of bodies involved with regulating charities and charitable collections.

Your local Council - (Winchester City Council). The council's primary role is to ensure collections are genuine, well-organised, and do not cause undue nuisance or annoyance to the public. 

The Fundraising Regulator is an independent regulator for fundraising in the UK. The council expects all organisations conducting collections within the districts to adhere to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice.

The Charity Commission for England & Wales regulates charities in England and Wales. It maintains the public register of charities, oversees compliance with charity law, and investigates charities for mismanagement or abuse. 

The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIF) are membership organisations for charities. Their remit includes certain types working with groups fundraising by means not covered by permits or licences, such as direct debit collectors.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK's independent regulator that makes sure advertisements across all media are legal, decent, honest, and truthful. It investigates complaints, monitors advertisements proactively, and works to protect the public from misleading, harmful, or offensive marketing.

The Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator have published joint guidance to help people who want to raise funds for charity.

You are never obligated to donate. If you feel uncomfortable or pressured, it’s okay to say no. Report suspicious behaviour to your local council or the police non-emergency line. If in doubt, ask the collector for more information, and donate directly at a time that suits you.

Legitimate collectors must carry official ID and be able to show a permit from the local council if collecting (cash) in a public place. If unsure, contact us to confirm if the collection is authorised.

• Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information.
• Look out for the Fundraising Badge – the logo that says ‘registered with Fundraising Regulator’ – and check the Fundraising Regulator’s Directory of organisations which have committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
• Check the charity’s name and registration number on the Charity Register at gov.uk/checkcharity – most charities with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered
• Prefer secure methods like online donations via the charity’s official website or direct debit.
• Avoid giving cash unless you're confident in the collector’s legitimacy.
• If you donate, ask for a receipt or confirmation. This helps with Gift Aid claims and ensures transparency.
• If donating items like clothes or books, ensure the collector is working with a registered charity.

The FPS Fundraising Preference Service is free and enables you to manage direct marketing communications by addressed mail, emails, text messages or phone calls from registered charities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

At the Winchester City Street Market there is a reduced price pitch available for hire by charitable organisations.

To apply to use this charity pitch, you must apply to trade on Winchester Street Market using the application form.

If using the pitch to collect money or sell goods for charity, the hirer must contact the Licensing Department to obtain a Street Collection Permit. 

More information can be viewed on the full webpage.

You do not require a permit in order to distribute free printed material in Winchester City Centre.

Free printed material includes:

• leaflets or cards
• free newspapers
• takeaway menus and other promotional material

We politely request that organisations wishing to distribute free printed material; contact us via licensing@winchester.gov.uk to advise on which dates they will be distributing and in which location in the district. 

If you are planning to hand out leaflets in a public space, please keep the following in mind:

• Avoid obstructing paths, doorways, or businesses. Make sure people can move freely without feeling pressured or blocked.
• Be respectful and considerate. Offer leaflets only to those who are willing to take them.
• Stay clear of authorised charity collectors on the high street who hold a collection licence, ensuring you do not interfere with their permitted activity.
• Keep the area tidy. You are responsible for any litter created as a result of your leaflets. Bring a bag and regularly collect dropped materials nearby.
• Do not leaflet on private land (including shop fronts) unless you have explicit permission.
• Follow data protection rules if your leaflet includes any method of collecting personal details.
• Ensure your team is easily identifiable and behaves professionally at all times.

Distributing leaflets/posters at Winchester Visitor Information Centre

• Material must be relevant to visitors and relate to publicly accessible services, events, or attractions.
• All materials require prior approval from the Visitor Information Centre team, and unauthorised items will be removed and recycled.
• Local businesses and event organizers can display their physical leaflets by signing up for the Visit Winchester Partnership & Marketing Programme
• To have your leaflets considered for display, please contact the Visitor Information Centre in advance; tourism@winchester.gov.uk