Surely there is a blanket ban on selling anything in a public place
without a specific licence.

Is a ride in a pedicab a "thing" though?

Good question. Despite what one might hear, these peddlers are not
pedlars for the purpose of the Act

The Pedlars Act 1871:

"The term "pedlar" means any hawker, pedlar, petty chapman, tinker,
caster of metals, mender of chairs, or other person who, without any
horse or other beast bearing or drawing burden, travels and trades on
foot and goes from town to town or to other men's houses, carrying to
sell or exposing for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise, or procuring
orders for goods, wares, or merchandise immediately to be delivered, or
selling or offering for sale his skill in handicraft;"
--
Robin
reply to address is (meant to be) valid