‘Softly, softly’ approach after opposition

Angry: John Atkins outside his flower stall

MOUNTING opposition has forced the Town Hall to temporarily suspend the introduction of a £900 licence fee which street traders will need if they sell their wares on the pavement.
The Town Hall says it will be giving new laws which came into effect on Friday an indefinite bedding-in period. Under the laws anyone trading on a street or forecourt has to pay for a licence.
The proposals have attracted stiff opposition from street traders, who say the cost will put them out of business.
Many have received letters from the council threatening prosecution and the seizure of goods if they do not pay up.
But figures obtained this week reveal that, out of around 60 traders checked by the council, only 14 had applied for a licence.
The money raised from the new fee will go towards the cost of enforcing the legislation.
A Town Hall press official said the council had “been in regular contact with all those affected since September last year”.
He added: “We are aware that any new system can cause problems for people and will not yet enforce it, but will continue to advise traders during this transitional period.”
In February, the New Journal reported how the new fee was being opposed by traders like 85-year-old William Moore, who warned that he would no longer be able to continue selling flowers at his stall outside the Club Koko nightclub, formerly Camden Palace, in Camden Town.
John Atkins, who has had a flower stall in South End Green, Hampstead, for 20 years, said that he had refused to pay the fee – and would continue to do so.
He added: “I already pay business rates so it is unfair to penalise us on top of that. They should charge us either one or the other.
“They will be putting me out of business and taking away my dignity. I have a legitimate business here but I will probably have to live off state benefits.
“It seems like the council are out to get small businesses.”
Lyndsey Mitchell, who has run a popular fruit and flower stall outside Hampstead Heath railway station for 15 years, said the new fee would force her to close down.
She said: “I already pay rent to British Rail, business rates and money for a private rubbish collection.
“I can’t afford to spend another £900 – it makes the business a waste of time.
“Whether they hold off for the moment doesn’t matter. They will still be forcing us to pay in the end.
“I’ve hung on for years and it will be a really hard decision but I think, come summer, that we will have to close.
“The council should be helping small traders but they are doing nothing for us.”