Street trader crackdown (From Times Series)

Street trader crackdown

9:22am Thursday 21st February 2008 in

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New laws cracking down on unlicensed street trading are to be introduced in Barnet to make pavements more pedestrian-friendly.

The revised rules, to be voted on by Barnet Council's cabinet this Thursday, will mean that anyone who wants to use the public highway to trade will need to apply for permission from the council.

The rules will apply to street stalls and furniture, with A-boards and other street advertising being banned altogether.

Councillor Brian Coleman, cabinet member for community safety and engagement, says he began working on the "long overdue" proposal 18 months ago after receiving several complaints from residents. He attributed much of the problem to the smoking ban, forcing cafe and pub owners to move business outdoors.

Specific problem areas cited by Mr Coleman included Ballards Lane, Finchley Road and Barnet High Street.

He said: "It is unacceptable that children in pushchairs and people using walking frames sometimes find the pavement blocked by traders using the public highway inappropriately.

"These new licensing arrangements will help us manage the situation better both for pedestrians and businesses. We want to reclaim Barnet's pavements."

Mr Coleman said that licences would be granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on factors such as the width of the pavement and the density of shoppers in the area.

Responding to suggestions that it was a money-making scheme, he stressed the council was not legally allowed to make a profit from it, only cover its costs.

But many traders and shoppers in Ballards Lane believe the restrictions are unnecessary.

Sam Sharifi, who works in Siaim Cafe, said: "I don't think there is a problem, the sidewalk is wide enough. Even Saturday is not that busy. I think it's probably unnecessary."

Liz Browning, 37, who has two young children and shops regularly in the area, said: "It's never all that busy along here, so I'm not sure new rules are really needed.

"I definitely haven't found myself or my kids being pushed under a bus by an excess of A-boards. But, then again, the rules can't do any harm, and some places are probably worse than here.

"In the summer it will probably get worse."

Charges for licenses will be based on the amount of space occupied and will be subject to a 28-day consultation process with current licence holders. The scheme is expected to come into effect in April.