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(32)

I reported in my Annual Report for last year that the Southwark
Park Road street traders had moved from the open market sites provided
for them, back into the roadway, and had lodged an appeal with the
Secretary of State against the refusal of the Council to designate
Southwark Park Road as a street for the purpose of street trading
under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1947. I
have now to report that the Secretary of State decided that owing to
lapse of time they had no right of appeal, and that he refused to allow
their appeal. Application was subsequently made to the High Court
for an Order of Mandamus; this was heard on the 24th April, 1950,
and dismissed with costs to the Council. The traders then returned
to the open market sites, whereupon 159 summonses which had been
served on them for trading in the street without licences were withdrawn
on payment of £10 10s. 0d. costs.
During the year there were 212 successful prosecutions against
unlicensed traders, all "barrow boys" trading in the London Bridge
area. Fines totalling £221 12s. 6d. were imposed, with costs amounting
to £91 195. 0d. One summons was dismissed, the defendant being
found "Not Guilty."
The open market space which has been provided by the Council
on the site of the former Bermondsey Abbey has become popularly
Known as the New Caledonian Market. The first market was held on
Friday, the 13th March, 1950, and a weekly market has been held on
each Friday subsequently. During the Festival of Britain, it is
proposed to have markets on Tuesdays as well as Fridays. A large
number of these traders formerly had stalls "on the stones" of the
Caledonian Cattle Market in Islington. The closing of that market,
rather fortunately it seems for us, coincided with the provision of the
new market. Many of these stall-holders have long-established reputations
as dealers in antiques and sell high quality goods of value, and
their presence here has attracted numerous visitors from abroad.