The Licensing Sub-Committee of Hillingdon Council met on Friday 05 August 2016 to consider a temporary street trading licence application for a new fruit and vegetable stall on Uxbridge High Street. The committee decided to grant the licence, subject to several conditions, after hearing representations from the applicant and objectors.

Temporary Street Trading Licence for Uxbridge High Street

The committee considered an application for a temporary street trading licence for a new fruit and vegetable stall to be located on Uxbridge High Street. The applicant, Mr. Craddock, proposed a gazebo-style stall.

Decision: The committee decided to grant the licence.

Arguments for Granting the Licence: Mr. Craddock presented his case, highlighting his extensive experience in street trading, including operating a flower stall outside the train station. He assured the committee that the stall would be well-maintained, with all stock and waste contained within the unit. He also committed to working around council events, even offering to vacate his pitch for events like the French market or the Big Fest. He proposed trading hours aligned with local shops, from 9 am to 7 pm, and agreed to conditions regarding vehicle access and setup times.

Arguments Against Granting the Licence (and Committee Considerations): Two letters of representation were received from Michael Facey, Director of Uxbridge Market Traders, and Aaron Bayless, Centre Manager for the Pavilions Shopping Centre.

• Replenishment of Stock: A significant concern raised by both objectors and committee members was the potential need for frequent replenishment of stock during trading hours. Mr. Facey argued that it was unrealistic to expect a stall to contain a full day's worth of stock and that reloading would be necessary, potentially leading to disruptions. Mr. Craddock initially stated that all stock would be contained within the unit, but later expressed openness to replenishing stock via a Dutch trolley or by hand from nearby storage facilities, provided it was permitted. The committee considered conditioning the licence to prohibit replenishment during trading hours, which Mr. Craddock felt would be detrimental to his business.
• Waste Management and Cleaning: Concerns were raised about the potential for increased waste and staining from fruit and vegetable sales, particularly with pre-packaged items for office workers. Mr. Facey suggested that constant pressure washing would be necessary and that the current waste provisions on the High Street might be insufficient. Mr. Craddock assured the committee that he had access to water and would manage waste responsibly, taking it away at the end of the day. He also stated that his business partner, who manages a stall within the Pavilions Shopping Centre, has a strong track record of responsible waste management. The committee was informed by officers that keeping the area clean is a standard licence condition with enforcement powers available.
• Vehicle Access and Setup Times: The proposed setup and pack-down times, initially from 6 am to 7 pm, were deemed excessive by some councillors, particularly regarding vehicle access to the pedestrianised High Street. Mr. Craddock clarified that these times were for setup and pack-down, not trading, and aimed to avoid public disruption. The committee discussed conditioning vehicle access to be outside of peak hours, with a proposal of no vehicles between 8 am and 6 pm. Mr. Craddock agreed to this, stating his preference for an 8 am start for vehicle access.
• Stall Structure and Safety: Questions were raised about the gazebo's stability and how it would be secured against wind. Mr. Craddock confirmed it would be a heavy-duty storm gazebo with weights on the posts. The potential for slips and falls due to dropped produce was also a concern, with Mr. Facey highlighting issues at the Pavilions Market. Mr. Craddock stated that he would not be selling a full range of produce and that the limited range would mitigate this risk.
• Hand-washing Facilities: A question was raised by Mr. Facey regarding the requirement for hand-washing facilities for food vendors. The committee sought clarification from officers, with the understanding that this would need to be addressed promptly before a final decision could be made.

Outcome: The committee resolved to grant the temporary street trading licence, subject to conditions including:

• Trading hours to align with local shops, from 9 am to 7 pm.
• No vehicles to be on the High Street between 8 am and 6 pm.
• All waste to be contained and removed from the site daily.
• The stall to be maintained within the confines of the approved gazebo area.
• Further clarification on hand-washing facilities to be sought from Environmental Health.

Councillor Lynne Allen also raised a point about the clarity of the council's street trading policy regarding designated streets, suggesting amendments to better reflect the allowance for both tables and chairs and pitch trading on Uxbridge High Street. Stephanie Waterford, an officer, clarified that temporary licences do not require a designated street.