Street traders to come under control

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington want to impose formal controls on street trading across the whole borough.
Traders will have to pay an annual fee of up to £958 – although non-food traders and those food traders who agree to simple measures to improve nutritional standards will be charged a reduced fee of £800
Members of the borough council’s licensing committee are to be asked to approve the new controls, but they are then subject to approval by the full council.
Two areas of the borough are already subject to control – the town centre and around Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium
Council officers have consulted with traders before recommending the controls. In total, 108 questionnaires were sent out and 29 replies were received.
The majority of traders recognise that controls over pitches, the location of traders, and powers to tackle illegal traders will be of benefit.
But the vast majority of traders are concerned over the fee and a potential disparity with neighbouring authorities.
Some say it is too high and will affect profits, others that prices will have to rise and some fear being put out of business. Jobs could be affected and some businesses could close
Twenty traders believe there is a need to control the number of traders in an area. Nineteen say the policy will reduce conflict between traders. But only nine think it will reduce litter.
Street trading it generally taken to mean the sale of goods in a street. The definition is wide ranging, but typically covers mobile food traders, ice cream vans, etc, But some trades are exempt from any requirement to obtain a street trading licence, including anyone holding a pedlar’s licence, anyone trading from a market or fair or anyone selling newspapers or periodicals.

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