The Hounslow Council Licensing Panel met on 24 November 2025, appointing Councillor Ranjit Gill as Chair and approving the temporary street trading licence for Meryem Fruit and Veg, subject to additional conditions. The panel addressed concerns about public nuisance and pedestrian safety, ultimately deciding to grant the licence with specific provisions to mitigate these issues.

Meryem Fruit and Veg Street Trading Licence

The panel approved the application for a temporary street trading licence for Meryem Fruit and Veg to operate on the raised area outside Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Hounslow, TW3 1HG. The applicant, Meryem Fruit and Veg, sought to renew their licence to sell fresh fruit and vegetables from Monday to Saturday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

During the consultation process, the Licensing Authority received one representation from Charlie Hennessy, a Licensing Enforcement Officer, based on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. The representation cited two Fixed Penalty Notices issued to the licence holder for trading in an area larger than authorised. There were also complaints from local ward councillors regarding the stall's set-up.

However, the Licensing Enforcement Officer, Charlie Hennessy, noted improvements in compliance over the past two months, with councillors withdrawing their objections. A police inspection on 17 October 2025, revealed a breach of licence condition 39, as an individual working at the stall did not have an ID card issued by the Licensing Authority.

Muhammad Abubakav Shatawan, the Licence Holder, explained that his ill health had prevented him from managing the stall effectively, leading to non-compliance. He stated that these issues had since been rectified and that he now works closely with Charlie Hennessy. Hassan, the manager of the stall, sends photographs of the stall to Charlie Hennessy almost daily to demonstrate ongoing compliance with the licence conditions. Reverend Sally Bally of the Holy Trinity Church, who rents the pitch to the applicant, expressed her apologies for the stall encroaching on tactile paving areas¹.

The panel decided to grant the application for a temporary street trading licence, subject to the following additional conditions:

1. No goods shall be placed on top of the tactile paving, and sufficient space shall be provided on either side of the tactile paving.
2. No goods shall be placed on or near the stairs, allowing pedestrians to use the stairs safely.
3. The Licence holder shall be at the pitch or contactable at all times when the pitch is being used for trade.
4. The licence holder must always ensure that any queues or the serving of customers do not impact the surrounding pavements or any pedestrian crossing points in order to prevent obstruction and to maintain public safety.
5. The licence holder must ensure the stall operates safely and orderly and shall not do anything which may cause a danger, nuisance or annoyance, damage or inconvenience to the public and Council.

The panel stressed the need for continued compliance with the licence conditions, warning that failure to do so could lead to further review and potential revocation of the licence.

Appointment of Chair

Councillor Ranjit Gill was appointed Chair of the Licensing Panel. He thanked Councillors Farhaan Rehman and Dan Bowring for their attendance.