Vendors concerned by Council's new Street Trading plans

Buckinghamshire Council is currently inviting public feedback on its proposed Street Trading Policy, but local traders say it could spell the end for many small pop up businesses.

The council say the draft policy aims to provide a comprehensive framework for regulating street trading activities across the council's jurisdiction and is designed to give greater scope to determine where trading can take place, what can be sold, and will help to support wider council plans in terms of how public spaces look, feel, and are used.

Yesterday, a public drop-in event in Aylesbury saw nearly 50 local street traders express their concerns about the proposals. 

Dickon Johnstone from Refuelled Coffee, a mobile coffee van, is concerned about potential new charges:

He also gave us his views on DSB checks for all staff :

Dickon also shared his concerns on other aspects of the policy:

Kane Dick from the Jerk Box, a Caribbean street food business, questioned the need for the new policy:

Mark Winn, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Regulatory Services said: “Buckinghamshire Council is currently consulting on a new draft street trading policy which proposes to harmonise street trading across the county, replacing the current regime and legacy district council arrangements with a single, consistent policy. “The proposal aims to introduce street trading controls across public spaces in Buckinghamshire. The proposed policy will give the council greater scope to determine where street trading can take place, the articles that may be sold and the way trading is conducted and will help to support wider council plans in terms of how public spaces look, feel, and are used. “There are many positives to the suggested proposals including the opportunity to support economic prosperity with other businesses within the vicinity of vibrant street trading likely to benefit from the increased footfall.  In addition, the ability to regulate street trading activity helps provide protection for existing businesses such as fixed site shops and food businesses from unfair competition.  Finally, and importantly, the proposed approach ensures greater public protection through basic vetting checks. The street trading regime can also be used to promote healthy lifestyle choices and environmentally friendly activities. Examples of this are set out in the policy such as restrictions on selling unhealthy foods near schools. 

The draft Street Trading Policy outlined by Buckinghamshire Council addresses several crucial aspects:

1. Regulatory Role: Clarifying the council's role in regulating street trading activities.
2. Application Process: Detailing the types of applications, the application process, and criteria for approval.
3. Advertising and Consultation: Describing the advertising and consultation procedures involved in the decision-making process.
4. Decision Making Criteria: Outlining the criteria used in decision-making processes regarding street trading consent.
5. Appeals Process: Providing information on how to appeal a refusal or revocation of consent.
6. Duration and Fees: Specifying the duration of consents and associated fees.
7. Enforcement Approach: Explaining the council's approach to enforcing the street trading policy.

Under the proposed policy, all street traders would require consent to operate in accessible public areas unless exempted by law or local dispensation. Traders would need to meet specific criteria to obtain consent, ensuring that their activities align with the council's corporate plan and health and wellbeing strategy. The policy will encompass the entire Buckinghamshire Council area, replacing any existing street trading policies from previous district councils.

Acknowledging the concerns raised by local traders during a recent public drop-in session, the council emphasizes the importance of community feedback in shaping the final policy. Residents, businesses, and other stakeholders are encouraged to share their views on the draft Street Trading Policy before the consultation period concludes on April 28th.

External Website:
https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/regulatory-services/street-trading/

Street trading encompasses the sale or offering for sale of items in various public spaces, including roads, footways, and accessible areas without payment. This definition extends beyond traditional public highways and includes privately owned but publicly accessible spaces such as shopping centre car parks and open areas.