Handling cash safely at events
Start the day with a counted float of small notes and coins, keep the cash box out of sight, bank the surplus from the till at regular intervals and count up at the end. A simple routine protects your takings and makes your records accurate.
Plan your float
The float is the cash you start with so you can give change. Bring a mix of coins and low-value notes that suits your prices. Count it before you leave home and write the total down, so you know what your takings are at the end of the day.
Set up the cash point
- Use a lockable cash box or a bum bag worn on your front.
- Keep it away from the front of the stall.
- Place the till where you can see it at all times.
- Keep a spare float in a separate place.
Giving change and checking notes
Give change carefully, say the amounts aloud and keep the customer's note visible until the sale finishes. Look at notes in good light, and ask a customer for another note if one looks wrong. Staff should know how to check notes before they work a till.
If friends or staff help on the stall, agree who handles the till and who gives change. Fewer hands in the cash box make mistakes easier to find. Brief helpers on checking notes and on what to do if a customer seems confused about change.
Take cash out during the day
Move surplus cash from the till at set times into a safer place, such as a locked bag carried on your person or kept in a locked vehicle out of view. A large amount in the till attracts attention and loses more if something goes wrong.
A busy pitch needs more frequent cash removal because the till fills quickly. A quiet pitch can run on a smaller float. Review your routine after each event and adjust the float for the next one.
Count up and record
- Count the till after the event, away from the public.
- Subtract the float to find the takings.
- Record the total and your card and QR payments in your sales records.
- Bank cash as soon as practical.
Keep records for your accounts
Self-employed people keep records of all business income, including cash sales. GOV.UK sets out what to keep. Our guide to keeping takings safe covers the wider security routine.
Frequently asked questions
How much float should I bring to a market?
It depends on your prices and how many cash sales you expect. Bring enough small notes and coins to give change for your usual sale, and count it before you leave.
Do I have to accept cash?
Many traders choose to accept cash and cards. Check the organiser's trader terms, which sometimes set rules on how you take payment.
What should I do with a suspect banknote?
Politely decline it and ask for another form of payment. If you are concerned, report it through the police or your bank.
Do I need to record cash sales?
Yes. Cash sales count as business income, so keep a record of them for your tax return.
Gazebos built for regular pitches
Once a pitch is confirmed, the stall needs to fit it. Gala Tent makes market stall gazebos for traders who set up week after week.
Useful pages on our sister sites
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent. These pages from Gala Tent and the wider Gala group go further on the kit, branding and payments covered here.
Where to check the rules
- GOV.UK: business records if you are self-employed
- GOV.UK: set up as a sole trader
- GOV.UK: set up a business
Rules vary by council and by event. Confirm requirements with the organiser and the relevant authority before you act.