To consider an application for the renewal of a street trading consent in Broad Street, Reading.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the renewal of a street trading consent from Mr Salim Alami in respect of Broad Street, Reading.

The report stated that Mr Alami (the applicant) had held a street trading consent on Broad Street for over 15 years and for the majority of that time had sold leather goods, belts, scarves, sunglasses, gloves, hats and buckles. Upon renewal of his street trading consent in 2021 Mr Alami had successfully applied to sell juices, smoothies, slushies, shakes and cakes. The report stated that Mr Alami had submitted a renewal application for street trading consent on 10 October 2023 for the following:

Proposed trading hours:

Monday to Saturday -        0900hrs to 1800hrs.

Sunday -                           1000hrs to 1700hrs.

Proposed goods to be sold:

Juices, Smoothies, Slushies, Shakes and Cakes.

A copy of the application was attached to the report at Appendix TS-1. A photograph of the location of the pitch applied for (location outside 105 Broad Street) was attached to the report at Appendix TS-2. The size of the proposed catering trailer was 12ft by 6ft and a photograph of the proposed catering trailer was attached to the report at Appendix TS-3.

The report explained that during the 28-day consultation period for the renewal application a representation had been received from Mr Robert Smalley, Reading Borough Council (RBC) Licensing Team. A copy of the representation was attached to the report at Appendix TS-4. The following appendices were attached to the representation:

·                Appendix RS-1 – Street Trading Consent Application Form

·                Appendix RS-2 – Photo of Trading Location

·                Appendix RS-3 – Photo of Trailer

·                Appendix RS-4 – Days Mr Alami Witnessed Not Trading

·                Appendix RS-5 – Letter Requesting Explanation from Mr Alami

·                Appendix RS-6 – Mr Alami’s Response to Explanation Request

Information provided by the applicant to support the application was attached to the report at Appendix TS-5. The applicant and the applicant’s representative had also submitted further information after the publication of the agenda which had been circulated to the Sub-Committee and had been published as a supplement agenda pack, marked as Additional Information 1 and Additional Information 2. The Additional Information included an undertaking from the applicant.

Tabitha Shaw, RBC Licensing Team, presented the report to the Sub-Committee. Peter Narancic and Ben Williams from the RBC Licensing Team also attended the meeting and asked and answered questions.

Mr Salim Alami (the applicant) attended the meeting with his representative, Mr Jon Payne of Licensing Lawyers. Both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions from Councillors and the Licensing Team.

Robert Smalley, RBC Licensing Team, attended the meeting to present the representation he had submitted on behalf of the Licensing Team. He addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

The Sub-Committee considered the Licensing Team’s concerns about the application which revolved around Mr Alami’s failure to trade in the past. However, the Sub-Committee also heard Mr Alami’s assertions that he was now ready and able to trade, subject to favourable weather conditions, having completed the refitting of the trailer and having arranged access to water. The Sub-Committee also heard that Mr Alami had been trading for 20 years, was committed to trading regularly and was willing to amend his application to include some hot drinks in order to increase when he might trade. The Sub-Committee understood the delays caused to the trailer refitting process and that items like juices and smoothies were in demand on a seasonal basis.

Resolved –

(1)           That, having given due consideration to the written evidence contained in the paperwork and the oral evidence at the meeting, to the relevant legislation, guidance, and policies of Reading Borough Council, and, in particular:

·                The Powers of the Authority in determining an application for the grant/renewal of a street trading consent;

·                The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, and Schedule 4 in particular;

·                All representations;

·                All of the documents provided for the meeting; and,

·                The Reading Borough Council Street Trading Policy 2023-2028, and Annex 2 – Street Trading Standard Terms and Conditions:

The Sub-Committee grant the application for the renewal of the Street Trading Consent, incorporating all of the Street Trading Standard Terms and Conditions (set out at Annex 2 of the Reading Borough Council Street Trading Policy 2023-2028) for the sale of:

Juices, Smoothies, Slushies, Shakes, Cakes and Hot Food and Drink not specifically listed on any existing street trading consent/licence previously granted by Reading Borough Council.

The Applicant’s undertaking was accepted. The logistics of how and when the trading log would be given to Licensing officers was left to the Applicant and the Licensing Team to finalise and was not a condition made by the Sub-Committee.