NTBCC submitted the following in response to the consultation at Street Trading and Market Operators – City of Edinburgh Council – Citizen Space on 11 December.
Introduction
1 What is your name?
New Town & Broughton Community Council
2 What is your email address?
licensing (at) ntbcc.org.uk
3 What is your organisation (if relevant)?
NTBCC Licensing
4 Please choose which of the following best describes you.
Community Council representative
Street trading in Edinburgh
5 Would you like to see more street trading in Edinburgh, for example food and drink stalls?
We’re not adverse to them, provided that:
– they don’t unfairly compete with local businesses
– they don’t add to local issues e.g. public littering
– they are supported by nearby access to public toilet facilities
6 When should street trading be allowed?
Each proposal would have to be assessed on its own merit, but overnight operations typically would be viewed as the most adding to local issues of public littering and lack of access to public toilet facilities.
7 Should the Council consider providing all stalls and making them all look the same?
No
8 Is there anywhere that street trading should not be allowed?
This depends on the proposals. It seems obvious that a pop up stall selling alcohol would be ill advised when outside a school.
9 What are the benefits of allowing street trading?
Ability for small traders to tease the market before looking for a permanent fixture, perhaps?
e.g. Hobz bakery that started trading by the Croall Place police box before moving to its current fixture at Stead Place comes to mind.
10 Are there any drawbacks to allowing street trading?
Unfair competition to local businesses who are operating within same peer business.
Access to power that’s both affordable *AND* minimise noise pollution!
Markets
11 Would you visit an Edinburgh market that was outwith the city centre? For example, Leith, Gorgie, Queensferry.
<Not Answered>
12 The licence has requirements for providing customer toilets. Is it acceptable for those toilets not to be within the market itself?
No
13 What opening hours and days are appropriate for an Edinburgh market?
Each proposal would have to be assessed on its own merit, but overnight operations typically would be viewed as the most adding to local issues of public littering and lack of access to public toilet facilities.
Mobile trading
14 Should mobile trading be allowed in Edinburgh city centre? Please give further details below.
No
Further details – mobile trading in city centre:
Especially not, when using blasting and distorted loudspeaker(s)!
Ice cream vans might have their charm though, but they may also fill a gap in a market that’s likely seasonal – e.g. has anybody seen the QUEUES outside Mary’s Milk Bar at the Grassmarket on sunny/warmer days?!!
15 Should the Council allow more types of goods be sold from mobile vehicles? Please give details below.
No if the question was about whether to allow selling a wider range of goods, as this would make it more difficult to assess, in terms of granting permission &/or enforcement?
Any other comments?
16 Would you like to make any further comment about street trading, operating a market or selling from mobile vehicles?
<Not Answered>