Street trading may soon be prohibited in some East Suffolk streets
Town and parish councils would be able to designate streets where no street trading is permitted
Street trading could be prohibited in some East Suffolk streets following a council decision.
During a licensing committee meeting earlier this week, councillors were tasked with looking at how current street trading guidelines affect East Suffolk.
They agreed to create a consultation where ‘best-placed consultees’ such as town and parish councils would be able to designate streets where no street trading is permitted.
Cllr Colin Hedgley said: “I strongly support this — we’re all one company and there should be one set of rules.”
Street trading rules outline the streets where trading is prohibited, licensed, or requires consent.
However, there is a stark difference between the north and south of the district, with the south not being under the street trading policy.
This is due to the former Suffolk Coastal District Council not adopting the street trading legislation before the creation of East Suffolk Council in 2019.
Cllr Tim Wilson, who chaired the meeting, said the measure was ‘long overdue’.
He added: “It will be simpler for the few dozen licensed street traders we have across the district, and also easier for members of the public to understand.”
Although the difference has not created ‘any significant issues’, councillors believe the consultation is essential for the whole district to have a coherent set of rules.
Following the period of consultation, the new rules should be in place by the turn of the new year.