Agenda item

Mr Danter

Louis Krog, Business Support and Licensing Team Leader introduced the report as circulated with the agenda.  An application had been received from Mr William Danter for a street trading consent to sell hot and cold food and cold drinks from a traditional English barrow measuring 3.4m log x 2.14m.  The application sought permission to trade on the High Street adjacent to Next and the Carphone Warehouse.

Mr Danter has applied for the following dates:

Saturday 14 February to Tuesday 4 March 2014 (ending on Pancake Day)

Saturday 5 April until Monday 21 April 2014

Saturday 24 Many until Sunday 1 June 2014

Saturday 19 July until Saturday 23 August 2014

Saturday 25 October until Saturday 1 November 2014.

Mr Danter applied to trade for the following times;

Monday to Wednesday 09.30 – 17.30

Thursday 09.30 – 20.00

Friday 09.30 – 17.30

Saturday 09.00 – 18.00

Sunday 10.00 – 17.00

Appendix A of the report showed a picture of the trading unit.

Appendix B of the report showed a location map of where the unit would trade from.

Louis Krog referred Members to 3.2 of the report which detailed the policy considerations.  The proposed trading location is situated in a designated conservation area.  The Council has adopted a more restrictive approach to street trading in the conservation areas of a type which could positively enhance the enjoyment of the town as a tourist and leisure destination.

Members asked the following Officer questions;

·        When asked, Louis Krog confirmed that the picture provided on page 33 of the report was the English barrow that would be used.

Mr Danter attended the Committee and spoke in support of his application.

Mr Danter said he had been trading with his English barrow since 2006 providing crepes, doughnuts, sweets, candyfloss and toasted marshmallows.  In 2010 Mr Danter moved his barrow outside Carphone Warehouse and since then no objections had been received.

Seasonal treats would be sold over the school holidays, pancakes ready to take away and over Easter chocolate doughnuts and handmade chocolate apples would be sold.  In the Summer fruit compote crepes, locally sourced strawberries with cream and toffee apples would be provided.

Mr Danter said he had worked very hard to ensure fresh crepes and doughnuts were provided and he had refurbished the barrow in 2012 with a side generator.  The barrow enhanced the high street and offered seasonal treats and hoped the application is approved.

·        When asked, Mr Danter said the barrow would be seasonally decorated to each season.

·        When asked, Mr Danter confirmed that this would be the only barrow during the school holidays and throughout the year.

·        When asked, Louis Krog said there had been no complaints or problems when the barrow was trading over the recent Christmas period.

·        A Member asked why there were gaps in dates that permission had been applied for.

·        Mr Danter said that the school holidays had been applied for and he wanted to keep the barrow as a treat rather than applying for permission all year round.

·        When asked, the Chairman confirmed that Mrs Danter has a hot turkey roll stall outside Monsoon during the Christmas season and Mr Danter’s barrow trades outside Carphone Warehouse at this time also.  This would not change as a result of this application.

·        Mr Danter said his position outside Carphone Warehouse was proven to work well and had no problems or complaints from the businesses around him.

Members were advised they had two recommendations to vote on;

1. The application be approved because Members are satisfied that it does comply with the Council’s policy in relation to street trading in conservation areas;
2. The application be refused because it does not comply with the Council’s policy in relation to street trading in conservation areas.

Upon a vote it was (7 for 2 abstentions)

RESOLVED that the application be approved because Members are satisfied that it does comply with the Council’s policy in relation to street trading in conservation areas.