Any of us that trade on or by the water rely on a canal or river authority to enable us to carry out our business.
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The main authority for England & Wales is Canal & River Trust.
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The Business Boating team and Traders information pages are invaluable when setting up a canal related business, more about this & how to become a Floating/Roving Trader below.
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Keeping updates with stoppages is vital if you are a floating trader.
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They have a very comprehensive Events Page that may be helpful when looking for trading opportunities if you are a floating trader.
About Canal & River Trust
A network of over 2,000 miles of stunning canals and rivers runs through our landscapes. From our countryside to our bustling cities, canals are a place for everyone to connect with nature and our past.
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However you use them, we all deserve open spaces where we can feel happier and healthier, and where wildlife can thrive.
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Floating Traders add greatly to the diversity you can experience along the canal network from talented artists, crafters, food, cafe/trip boats & fuel boats that look after all boaters needs all year round.
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Together, visiting & using the canal networks we can make sure those living & working on them thrive & that the canals continue to be here for tomorrow and beyond offering diversity, interest, customer appeal & wellbeing.
Becoming a Floating/Roving Trader
It is almost always a life changing decision to become a Floating/Roving Trader whether you already own a boat or are embarking on life on the water from life on land. ​This is our opinion of how to embark on the canal trading lifestyle. Visit canal events & markets to see how its done by experienced traders who are always willing to offer help & advice. Decide what/how you want to be trading with, crafts, food, arts, trip boat, cafe boat, tuition etc. Decide the area you want to trade in, you must still move in accordance with your CRT license rules or do you want to cover the whole network. Ensure the boat you have or want to purchase is suitable ie: access, side hatches, storage room etc. Once you have thought all that through you need to contact Canal & River Trust with a short but explanatory business plan, then wait for their approval. You cannot trade until you receive your Traders License. (The cost of a trading Licence is approx £90 pa on top of your normal boat license.) At this point if you want to become a food trader you need to contact your local HSO & arrange an inspection, Contact your insurance company as not all boat insurers will cover trading, if yours doesn't you can opt for a separate PLI policy from companies like CMTIA. Once you have done all this you can start planning, displays - must be contained on the boat, how to get supplies, making or acquiring stock, advertising, where & when to trade. Talk to other traders at events & along the towpath, our Facebook groups is a great source of information too. There are membership organisations that offer access to regular floating market venues however trading with the same people every event does not suit everyone, some traders just opt for large events which yield substantial income but require huge amounts of stock other enjoy the constant change & diversity of towpath trading. you will find your trading patterns change as you develop your products, displays & long term goals. All the necessary links that you need can be found at the top of the page