The Licensing Panel of Hounslow Council convened on Monday 6 January 2025 to appoint a chair and determine a street trading licence application. Councillor Aftab Siddiqui was appointed as the Chair of the panel. The panel granted a temporary street trading licence to Healthy Bite, located at 253 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, for the sale of hot food.

Healthy Bite Temporary Street Trading Licence Granted

The Licensing Panel granted a temporary street trading licence to Healthy Bite, situated on the public highway in front of 253 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick. The licence permits the sale of hot food, including falafel wraps, chicken wraps, halloumi wraps, rice with vegetables, salads, soups, fresh juices, and soft drinks, from Monday to Sunday between 10:00 and 16:00.

The decision followed a hearing where the panel considered an application for a licence to operate a stall measuring 3m wide and 2m deep. Three objections were received: one from a ward councillor expressing concerns about food safety, hygiene, competition with existing businesses, the amenity of the area, public safety, and potential nuisance. Two objections were from members of the public, representing local businesses, who raised similar concerns regarding trade impact, area amenity, pavement obstruction, cleanliness, food hygiene, noise, smell, parking, and fire safety due to gas canisters.

However, no objections were received from the Food Safety or Highways teams. The applicant, Healthy Bite Chiswick Limited, had been trading at the site since 2020 under previous temporary licences. They provided evidence of a four-star food safety rating, a gas safety certificate, food safety training, and a waste collection contract. The applicant also addressed the objectors' concerns, highlighting that the pavement width of 8 metres allowed for the required 1.8 metres of unobstructed footfall.

The panel carefully considered all representations, the London Local Authorities Act 1990, and Hounslow Council's Street Trading Policy. They noted the applicant's compliance with safety aspects and the positive feedback received from 31 supporting emails, which described the stall as offering affordable, healthy food and being an asset to the High Street. The panel decided to grant the application, with an amendment to standard conditions 48 and 49 of the temporary street trading licence. The applicant was reminded of their ongoing responsibility to comply with all food safety and hygiene requirements.