fly-pitch

To sell goods on the street without a vendor's licence, usually from a small suitcase, wooden crate, etc., ready to depart hurriedly if the authorities arrive.

“Oh, come on, Tiny”, the trader from the fruit stall said lightly trying to ease the tension, “we all started that way. I ’ad to fly pitch for months before I got me license.”

He didn’t want involvement with the filth if he could avoid it, anyway; he’d done dodgy deals around town a few times, fly-pitching and ripping off a few tourists, minor stuff, but it was best to keep a low profile.

A temporary location on the street from which goods are sold.

“Bin workin’ a fly pitch in the Sat’day gaff,” said Micky Barnet.

The road was packed with wagons and people going about their mid-morning business. Delivery carts piled high with furniture, hay and crates negotiated their way between the fly-pitch barrows selling the early catch from Billingsgate market half a mile away.