main content Illegal street seller fined

A man has been prosecuted for illegally selling toys and novelties in Orpington High Street without a street trading licence. Mr Chen Song, a Peckham resident, was found guilty after failing to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court last week and was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £300.

“Unlicensed street trading is not only unfair to legitimate street traders and businesses, but the public could be at risk from goods that haven’t been checked and are potentially unsafe to use. If necessary, we will use our powers under street trading legislation to seize the merchandise of illegal street traders” said Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager.

The Court heard that on the evening of 8th December 2006, the Council’s Orpington town centre manager had noticed a man in the High Street appearing to sell items from a holdall. Enforcement Officers were called to investigate and observed the man standing outside Dorothy Perkins selling toys and novelties from a bag.

When asked if he had a licence to sell the items, Mr Song produced a ‘pedlar’s certificate’ issued by Ealing police. This type of certificate is not valid for street trading in any part of London.

The goods and pedlar’s certificate were seized and Mr Song was reported for the offence of unlicensed street trading.

The council operates a street trading licensing scheme to maintain standards and protect the interests of licensed street traders and other businesses in the borough.

To find out how to apply for a street trading licence or report illegal street trading, visit www.bromley.gov.uk or call the Street Services help desk on 020 8313 4621.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670, or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901.