Agenda item

Mr Richard Brabin

Amelia Byres, Senior Licensing Officer, introduced the report as circulated with the agenda. An application had been received from Mr Brabin for street trading consent to sell hot and cold food and drink from a mobile catering bicycle . The proposed trading location of the mobile catering bicycle was between the High Street junction meeting Berkeley Street and the full length of the Promenade including Montpellier Street and Montpellier Walk. The requested trading period is for 6 days per week between 10 am and 5 pm. The Senior Licensing Officer reported that the consultation had raised objections and reminded Members that the application should comply with the provision of the Street Scene policy.

Mr Brabin was invited to address the committee. He said that his service would add to the Cheltenham street scene in a new and innovative way. It would provide good quality food on the run. Similar street traders were operating in Worcester, Stratford and Bristol and were proving to be popular. Having been brought up in the area he had a good understanding of Cheltenham and recognised the importance of tourism to the economy. He did not believe that his catering bicycle would be an eyesore and it would not have any advertising on it. He made reference to the Green Coffee Machine which, whilst initially receiving a lot of criticism, was now very much part of the town’s street scene and he hoped that his bicycle could add to the street scene in the same innovative way.

Members raised the following issues:

• Whether the liquid in the containers he would be carrying would be hot or cold and whether it would be dependent on a power supply; in response Mr Brabin confirmed that only cold drinks would be sold but hot locally sourced organic gourmet wraps would be offered, an example given was hot duck wrap with soy and wasabi mayonnaise
• Confirmation was sought as to whether a safety check was required by a registered person to ensure the gas canisters on the catering bicycle would be used to heat 2 gas stoves, were safe. In response Mr Brabin confirmed that he would ensure that the gas canisters were all properly tested and certified and that they were secure. Members remained slightly uncomfortable that there would be lit gas ranges in view. They asked whether environmental health had commented on this. The Senior Licensing officer confirmed that environmental health had been consulted but they had not submitted any comments. Mr Brabin stated that many traders were using the same system and confirmed that he had had his public liability insurance for £5 million approved
• In response to concerns about the appearance of the bicycle which in some Members views could potentially detract from the street scene, he assured members that this would be of a high aesethic standard. He explained that the photograph shown in the appendix to the report was of the bicycle when it was purchased from eBay. He explained the bicycle still required more renovation but he was reluctant to do this prior to gaining the consent to trade
• In response to concerns conveyed in the objections regarding the mobility of the proposed service, Mr Brabin explained that he was very open to using certain fixed pitches where trading would be acceptable; he did not intend to park his bicycle directly outside a business selling similar products but his idea was to sell quick food “on the run”. He did however say that competition was good for business. In terms of objections relating to slowing down traffic he said he would not cause problems. Members believed that the traffic flow could be affected up to the Queens Hotel due to the incline.
• Members felt that the selection of sites should be suitable for the public and not in any way impede the pedestrian flow and not be located next to a premise selling similar products. In response Mr Brabin reiterated that he would be happy to negotiate a number of static fixed pitches; it was never his intention to just park anywhere undesignated The Senior Licensing Officer advised the members that should static fixed pitches be a preferred option Mr Brabin would be required to submit a new application in which a full consultation would take place, The new application would be referred to the Licensing Committee to be determined.
• In response to a question on hygiene Mr Brabin confirmed that he had a hand washing system and had been advised that alcoholic wash wipes were appropriate. He also confirmed that he would wear gloves when serving food. In response to a question with regard to waste disposal to avoid littering, Mr Brabin confirmed that he had a waste bin attached to the front of his bicycle and he would encourage his customers to use it
• Members welcomed his enterprising spirit and asked what experience he had in the catering business. In response he stated that he had 7 years experience having worked as a chef and in and around the food environment. He also had his food handling certificate. In response to a question on his current employment, Mr Brabin confirmed that he was currently a bar manager in the town.

A member proposed an adjournment to consider the application. Upon a vote Members adjourned at 3 pm.

The meeting was reconvened at 3.30 pm.

An amended proposal was brought to the Committee. The Committee was recommended to approve the application subject to a limited area of operation from Boots corner to the Queens Hotel. If approved this consent would be reviewed in March 2014. The design should be submitted to officers before trading and be accepted by officers.

Members voted on this amended proposal.

Voting for : 4

Voting against: 3

RESOLVED that the application for a street trading consent be granted subject to a limited area of operation from Boots corner to the Queens Hotel.