main content Cafe owner in the soup over pavement obstruction

The owner of Homesdale Road's 'Lunch Box' café, was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,000 for wilfully 'obstructing the highway' with rubbish from the shop. Mr Feisal Pradlau pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court to leaving empty bread trays, cardboard boxes, black rubbish sacks and a trolley outside the rear of his shop which blocked the pavement for pedestrians.

"Leaving empty bread trays and rubbish on the pavement - even temporarily - is dangerous and causes difficulties for pedestrians. It can also attract other problems like graffiti and fly tipping. Traders need to store their waste safely and securely without blocking the pavement. We accept that this is not always easy, but safety must come first. Prosecutions are a last resort for us. We are on hand to give advice to traders about how they can store their waste legally and safely" said Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager.

The Court heard that complaints about the mess outside the 'Lunch Box' café, were first made to the Council in September 2002. Mr Pradlau was given a written warning to clear the pavement and keep it free from obstruction. Two more warnings followed when spot checks, by the Street Services Enforcement Team, found more empty bread trays and rubbish stored on the pavement. On a fourth visit, with no visible sign of improvement, legal action was taken.

Legally, shops and businesses must make their own waste disposal and storage arrangements and cannot store it on 'public highway'. Traders can use the Council's Business Waste Service to dispose of their waste or they can enter into an agreement with another waste disposal contractor. Business waste disposal is not covered in business rates.

To report a highway obstruction or other street problem, contact the Street Services Help Desk on 020 8313 4621.

ENDS

Editors: For further information, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901 or e-mail peter.turvey@bromley.gov.uk