BOROUGH OF POOLE

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – THURSDAY 10 JULY

REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

ON STREET TRADING IN FALKLAND SQUARE

1.Matter for Consideration

1.1.To consider a request from the Town Centre Manager to allow street trading in Falkland Square.

  1. Recommendations
  2. It is recommended that Members give approval to the advertising of an Order re-designating Falkland Square to allow street trading to take place, subject to consideration of any objections.
  3. Background
  4. Street trading on the highway is licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Within this legislation the Authority can designate prohibited streets, where it is considered that trading on street is either not appropriate or would be to the detriment of existing local businesses.
  5. Within the Town Centre, Falkland Square is designated as a prohibited street. However Town Centre Management, in consultation with local traders, consider that certain forms of trading here would increase footfall through the area and actually benefit local business.
  6. The process for re-designating Falkland Square as a consent street on a permanent basis would be to advertise the proposal on site and in the press with consideration being given to any objections. Formal objections would be brought to a future meeting of this Group.
  7. In 2001 the Farmers market traded every 3rd Sunday of the month, initially from the Old Orchard forecourt on the High Street which is specifically designated as a consent street ( ie where trading can be permitted ) and under the management of the Poole Town Centre Management (PTCM). This market no longer operates, and the operators requested a move closer to the main trading area. During last year the market began trading from Town Square adjacent to Sainsbury’s.
  8. On Bank Holiday Monday, the Farmers Market traded from within Falkland Square on a one-off basis to see the reaction of the traders and general public. This was very successful and well received by businesses and the Falkland Square area is seen as a better location adding more vitality in what is currently an under-utilised area.
  9. It is planned that there would be a Farmers Market on Thursdays. Produce sold would be of only Dorset origin and includes the finest selection of local meat, cheese, preserves, pies, drinks, cakes, fruit, vegetables and plants. This would be in line with the strategic aims for the Town Centre to improve the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre, and will complement other attractions as part of the PTCM “Summer On The Street” entertainment programme. This promotion supports the Poole Tourism campaign of Summer Festival evening events on the Quay held on alternate Thursdays.
  10. Re-designation of the street will permit all forms of trading to be considered. In order that adequate safeguards are in place to ensure only activities of an appropriate nature and quality are permitted, it is proposed that all applications would be considered initially by the Town Centre Manager against a pre-defined set of conditions.

James Bright

Head of Transportation Services

Background Papers

Nil

Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact

Steve Tite(01202) 262020

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