Charity Collections
Any one collecting money or selling articles on behalf of charity, in a place to which the public have unrestricted access, must first have a license from the local authority. In Guildford you must also wear a Guildford Borough Council badge.
It is an offence to collect money without a valid permit.
There are different ways of collecting for charity but if you are asking the general public for a donation you must have the relevant permit.
Please call the licensing team using the details at the bottom of this page to check availability before downloading a Street Collection Application Form [PDF] (136k).
Street Collections
Street collectors can be defined as people standing in a street or public place with a collecting tin, hoping that the public will donate to their charity.
The Legislations covering Street Collections are:
For further information please visit the street collections page.
House to House Collections
House to house collectors can be defined as people calling at houses asking for donations at the door, sometimes leaving an envelope to be collected later. They sometimes collect clothes or other articles for charity. Old-fashioned Carol singing at people’s doors is house to house collecting. The legislation covering house to house collections is:
- House to House Collections Act 1939
Any one collecting from house to house (or pub to pub) must have a permit from the local authority, or a Home Office exemption order issued to large charities.
- Direct Debit Fundraising
Direct Debit Fundraising is done either in the street or door to door by professional fundraising companies with paid employees and is covered by this legislation:
- Charities Act (1992) Section 60 part 2
If a professional fundraiser is soliciting money or Direct debits for a charitable cause from the public in a public place they must:
- give a statement giving the name of the appeal or charity
- mention that they are not a charity but a company
- say what percentage is taken for wages
- say what percentage is taken by the company
- say what percentage goes to the charity
A proffesional fundraiser is committing an offence if this is not stated
Please note: If you wish to busk you must contact the town centre manager for permission, however if you also wish to collect for charity you need a charity street collection license.
Town Centre Manager
Guildford Borough Council
14 Tunsgate
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3QT
Tel: 01483 444331
Licensing Team
Environmental Health and Licensing services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BP
Tel: 01483 444371
Email: licensing@guildford.gov.uk