TikTok star doesn't have licence to trade in Worcester, say council
Mr Tee's has over 250,000 followers on the platform
A TikTok star - who visits Worcester to sell ice cream - does not have a licence to trade in the city, according to the city council.
There were queues in Croft Road car park last week when a Mr Tee’s ice cream van paid a visit and have also visited places including Telford and Redditch.
The business has a big following on social media and often announces its arrival in various towns and cities a few hours in advance.
But the council says Mr Tee’s does not have a street trading licence, which councillors say are vital for the protection of residents.
A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: “This trader has not got a street trading licence.
“Licences are issued by Worcester City Council and administered by Worcestershire Regulatory Service (WRS).
“Traders should apply for a one-day trading licence if they are only visiting Worcester for a short time.
“WRS are looking into reports that this trader was trading in Worcester without a licence."
Councillor Adam Scott, who represents the Cathedral ward and sits on the licensing committee, said: “The council maintains a rigid but fair policy on the licensing of street vendors and that includes ice cream vans.”
Cllr Scott said ensuring traders are fully licensed protects consumers – young people in particular in the case of ice cream vans.
“We appreciate street vendors can bring life and vitality to streets but we have to bring some control and licensing is our way of doing that,” he said.
Cllr Richard Udall said on Facebook that Mr Tee’s, which calls itself the ‘king of desserts’, “operates without any local regulation designed to protect the consumer”.
“The law requires the council to enforce license regulations,” he said. “Heavy penalties exist for those who don’t abide by the law.
“It’s extremely unfair and wrong to ignore the rights of those responsible traders who do pay money to gain a license and trade legally, especially those who do follow license conditions and have the required checks, to then ignore those who don’t follow the rules.
“We will enforce the law, for public and consumer protection.”
We have contacted Mr Tee’s - who has over 250,000 followers on TikTok - for a comment.