There are two public spaces protection orders in force in the St Ives Parish.
- The St Ives Public Spaces Protection Order restricts certain activities at the seafront in St Ives along Wharf Road, the Wharf and the Harbour. The order and the map outlining the restriction area can be found here.
- Dogs on Beaches
St Ives Public Space Protection Order 2024
The order was brought in by Cornwall Council on the December 2024. It requires anyone seeking to carry out the following activities to seek the permission of “The Council”. Although Cornwall Council has issued the order, permission and approvals will be administered on Cornwall Council’s behalf by the Town Council. The three activities which require permission are:
- The stationing of advertising boards or other structures being used as such;
- Soliciting or touting for business and the distribution of free literature;
- Loitering for the purposes of hair braiding or applying henna tattoos.
Fees are set out in the relevant application form.
Seeking Permission
a. The stationing of advertising boards or other structures
Anyone wishing to display advertising boards or structures, such as A-boards in the harbour area should apply in writing to the Town Council via pspo@stives-tc.gov.uk. However, it should be noted that the Council’s general policy stance is not to grant permission for any A-boards which are stationed in the public pavement or highway.
Please note that the restrictions only relate to public spaces and not land in private ownership, for which no permission need be sought, although you should seek advice in relation to any other restrictions or consents required, such as planning. Any signage or boards on the public highway, pavement, street furniture, lamp posts etc without permission will be removed and signage without permission is liable to a fine.
b. Soliciting or touting for business and the distribution of free literature;
Anyone wishing to tout for business in the harbour area should apply in writing to the Town Council for permission via pspo@stives-tc.gov.uk.
Please note, there is a scheme in place to grant permission to pleasure boat operators selling tickets under a licencing scheme. All boat trip ticket sellers must be licenced with the Town Council.
Members of the public may ask to see a copy of the licence before purchasing tickets and can report any complaints or concerns under the boatmen’s association code of conduct.
Street trading licences in the public highway are processed by Cornwall Council – please contact them via the link below.
c. Loitering for the purposes of hair braiding or applying henna tattoos
Anyone wishing to apply for a licence for the purposes of hair braiding or applying henna tattoos in the designated harbour area should apply in writing to the Town Council for permission via pspo@stives-tc.gov.uk.
Dogs on Beaches
A second-order deals with dogs on beaches and this restricts access to the beaches across Cornwall at certain times a year. Failure to observe the order results in the issue of a fixed penalty notice of £100.
Details of all the restrictions can be found on this website stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/info-page/dogs-on-st-ives-beaches/ in addition, full details of the order are on Cornwall Council’s website, just follow the link below
How are PSPOs enforced ?
If any of the conditions of the PSPOs are breached, Cornwall Council can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 under the Council’s enforcement policy. If you don’t pay the fine it may lead to prosecution. If you are convicted you may be liable to pay a fine not exceeding level three (currently £1,000) on the standard scale.
Cornwall Council enforcement officers work in the area through the restriction periods.
The following map shows approved business positions:
https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Map-of-Ticket-Seller-Pitches-Website.pdf
