The clock is ticking for businesses who want to trade or advertise close to near year’s Olympic venues.

Commercial activity will be controlled within 27 ‘special event zones’ that include parts of Kingston, Richmond, Elmbridge, Wandsworth and Wimbledon.

Traders who want to be active around venues and routes used by sports including cycling and tennis must apply for permission before Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

The restrictions on selling from marquees, busking, collecting for charity and advertising from billboards and poster sites are included in contracts host cities sign with the International Olympic Committee.

The rules will apply to the route of the cycling road races, which will pass through Richmond, Elmbridge, Kingston and Wandsworth on the opening weekend of the Games.

Advertising on the pavements, or the area 2m either side of it where there are no pavements, will also be controlled.

The same restrictions will apply to the cycling time trials, which will affect Richmond, Kingston and Elmbridge.

For tennis, the road between Southfields tube station and All England Club, and the area around the venue, will be controlled.

See tinyurl.com/7mo7wlv for more information and how to apply, and tinyurl.com/cwbbj8j for maps of the areas affected.