Council argues for controls on pedlars and street traders

A registration or licensing system for pedlars and street traders is still needed to protect the city’s more vulnerable residents – that’s the response Plymouth City Council will be giving to a Government consultation.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is looking at repealing current controls on pedlars and changing street trading regulations to comply with EU legislation. But it is asking local authorities if they think it is a good idea to do away with the controls altogether or instigate new ones.

Under the current scheme anyone wanting to sell an article in the street such as burgers, kebabs, doughnuts or jewellery, has to apply for a licence from the Council to trade from specific sites.

There are different rules for pedlars – who must get a certificate from the police as part of a law dating back to 1871. They are defined as someone ‘who travels and trades on foot and goes from town to town or to other men’s houses, carrying to sell or exposing for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise, or procuring orders for goods, wares, or merchandise immediately to be delivered, or selling or offering for sale his skill in handicraft’.

The Council will submit its response which proposes that either a registration or licensing system for pedlars is kept and calls for powers to exclude pedlars from areas for short periods, for example large public events.

The Council backs some proposals, particularly the ability to issue licences for longer than a year, to cut the administration as well as allow established, well run businesses to plan further ahead.

But it warns against no controls at all, claiming it might damage trade of other businesses as well as put vulnerable residents at risk from more aggressive selling.

Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “It’s important to ensure pedlars and street traders can sell their wares and build up their business, but there needs to be some control to minimise the impact on local residents and other businesses nearby.”

Councillor Eddie Rennie, chair of Licensing added: “There needs to be a balance between the needs of the local community, existing businesses as well as the traders. We know we cannot keep the existing rules but should not throw out the baby with the bath water.”

The Local Government Association has already expressed concern about relaxing regulations around street traders and pedlars, warning against a rise in door to door sellers, which could put the elderly and vulnerable at risk.