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25
Shops
A duty is placed on the Council by the Shops Act, 1950 to carry
out inspections of retail and wholesale shops and warehouses to ensure
that adequate sanitary accommodation is provided and that sufficient
means of ventilation and heating are provided and maintained.
A register of shops is kept in the department and during the year
525 visits were paid by the Public Health Inspectors, In 12 instances
notices were served on the occupiers requiring various matters to be
dealt with.
There are a number of exemption certificates in force which have
been granted by the Council in the past allowing the use of sanitary
accommodation elsewhere than on the premises owing to restricted space.
No applications for exemption certificates were received in 1956 but
one such certificate was revoked.
The construction of many new shops and the modernisation of
others has had the effect of raising the standards of shops generally.
Rag and Bone Dealers
There are 7 premises in the borough dealing in rags, waste paper,
metal and similar articles but none is known to deal in bones. The
operation of the London County Council Bye Laws in respect of Rag and
Bone Dealers is therefore technically not possible. Nine visits were
paid to such premises during the year however, and no nuisances were
observed.
Rag Flock
Four premises in the borough are licensed for the manufacture or
storage of rag flock and 8 premises registered to use filling materials
under the Rag Flock & Other Filling Materials Act, 1951. Regular
inspections of these premises were made during the year with a total
of 14 visits.
Eight samples of various types of filling materials were taken
during the year and submitted to the approved analyst. All these
passed the cleanliness standard. One sample alleged to be woollen
felt failed to meet the standard of quality specified and should have
been classified as rag flock layered. The matter was taken up with
the suppliers.
Offensive Trades
One premises is at present licensed by the Council as an offensive
trade for the processing of raw tripes. This is situated in Eagle
Court in the area adjoining Smithfield Market and is regularly visited
by the Senior Meat Inspector.