2 October 2000

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO REGULATE STREET TRADING

A Bill to provide for the regulation by district councils of street trading in their districts was today given its first reading in the Assembly.

In a statement the Minister for Social Development Maurice Morrow MLA said that the introduction of the Bill was the culmination of a wide-ranging review of the existing legislation. He said:

"The Bill is aimed at preventing undue nuisance, interference or inconvenience to people and traffic caused by street trading. It will provide a more up to date and transparent framework for both councils and traders and will include more effective measures for dealing with those who trade without a licence, including the seizure of goods.

"Legitimate street trading has a part to play in the cultural and commercial life in our towns and cities and the proposals introduced in the Assembly today will support such enterprises. However, the existing legislation has proved ineffective in allowing district councils to deal with the increasing problem of those traders who operate without a licence."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Department for Social Development is responsible for the introduction of the new legislation to regulate street trading. As with the current legislation in the Street Trading (Regulation) Act (NI) 1929, the new legislation will be enforced by district councils.

2. The review of the existing street trading legislation was instigated with the issue of a public consultation paper in September 1998. As result of the comments received from interested parties, particularly district councils, a follow-up report addressing concerns raised was issued in May 1999.

3. The main purpose of the proposed legislation is to permit and support a licensing system to avoid undue nuisance, interference or inconvenience to persons and vehicles. The aim is to have legislation that is fair, open and provides district councils with a high degree of flexibility including more effective powers for dealing with those who trade without a licence.

4. The Street Trading Bill will be available shortly from the Stationery Office Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT! 4GD.