You will need to apply for a charity street collection permit to collect for charity on streets or roads within Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.
You don't need a street collection permit if you are collecting on private property for example a supermarket foyer, however you will need their permission.
If you are collecting as part of an event, for example Grooves on the Green or Christchurch Food Festival, you will not require a charity permit. The Event Organiser will need to contact Events for permissions by email to events@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
If you want to collect for charity door to door or business to business you will need to apply for a house to house collection permit.
Application form
Fill in our online application form to apply to collect for charity within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area.
The person applying for the permit will need to be present at the collection. They will also be responsible for the money collected and making the return within one month of the collection.
Each charity is only permitted up to 6 collections a year (Jan - Dec) across the whole BCP area, regardless of who is undertaking the collection.
When prompted, you'll need to login or register as an individual. The street collection permit can only be awarded to a suitable individual over 16.
You'll be able to upload a copy of your permission from the charity and choose an available collection date on our online booking system.
You will need to complete an application for each collection you wish to make within the next 6 months. Please allow at least 2 weeks notice before the collection date to process your application.
We are unable to consider collection requests more than six months in advance.
You'll need to upload a letter of authorisation from the organisation or charity that you’re raising money for. An organisation or charity can have a maximum of 6 collection days in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole each year.
Cancel your permit
If you are no longer able to carry out your collection, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the date to other organisations and cancel your permit. If you fail to let us know, it will count towards the number of permitted collections for that charity in that year.
Bournemouth Air Festival
You may only collect money for a charitable cause at the Bournemouth Air Festival if you have hired a stand for the event. Please contact the events team at events@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to check availability. Once you have a stand at the event, you don't need a permit for collections at that event.
Street collection regulations
You need to read our simple guide to the street collection regulations before making your application.
Collection Restrictions
Charity collections are not allowed in the following places:
- In any Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole parks, gardens or in any BCP Council car park.
- Bournemouth seafront and pier approach.
- Bournemouth Square (unless part of an event you have booked through our events team, for example the Christmas stage).
- Saxon Square in Christchurch (unless you have obtained permission from the Saxon Square managing agents directly. You will need to upload proof)
On the collection day
You need to keep your permit on you at all times, and show it to anyone who asks to see it. Collection containers must be sealed and numbered. They also must clearly identify the name of the charitable organisation being promoted, as well as a registration number. All collectors must be 16 years or older.
Financial returns
You'll need to submit a financial return within one month of the collection. You'll have to complete this return even if no money was collected. You also need to upload proof the amount has been paid to the charity. This can be a bank statement or letter/email from the charity.
Once your collection has ended, we'll send you an email with details of how to submit your financial return online.
Street collection availability
When you apply you will be able to see dates available within the next six months. If the date doesn't appear then it will have already been booked by another charity or organisation.