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22
Licensing Act, 1964
The provisions of this Act enables a local authority to lodge an objection in respect of an application
to the Magistrates' Court for a Club Registration Certificate, where it is desired to provide intoxicating
liquor for members and their guests, on the grounds that the premises are not suitable and
convenient for the purpose in view of their character and condition, and of the size and nature of
the club.
Similar powers are available to a local authority to lodge an objection in respect of an application
to the Licensing Justices for a licence to sell intoxicating liquor at restaurants, private hotels, guest
houses etc. The Justices may refuse an application if the premises are not structurally adapted and
bona fide used for the purposes of habitually providing customary main meals and, if after reasonable
steps have been taken, it was not possible to inspect the premises.
Premises in respect of which applications for Club Registration Certificates or Licensing Justices
applications were received during the year were all visited by the Public Health Inspectors before
the respective application was heard, and where necessary the applicants were informed of the
work required to be done to satisfy the requirements of this Department.
In no case was it necessary for a formal objection to be heard before the respective Courts, but in
some cases the applications were refused until the Department had satisfied the Clerk of the Court
that the requirements referred to had been met.
Food Premises—Sanitary Conveniences for Customers in Restaurants, Cafes, etc.
In the last Annual Report reference was made to the powers which have been available to local
authorities in London to require refreshment houses to provide sanitary conveniences for their
customers. The Inspectorate responsible for food premises have continued to bring this requirement
to the notice of the proprietors of premises where the installation could justifiably be requested.
From time to time complaints are received in respect of the state of toilets which customers of
particular establishments feel are not maintained in a satisfactory condition. This has an association
with week-ends. Experience has shown that public sanitary accommodation is not always properly
maintained throughout the whole day, as many employees are selective in the work they do, and
the cleaning of conveniences is unpopular work. In some areas, especially those which attract a
large cosmopolitan population on a Saturday evening, control unfortunately suffers. This can
relate particularly to the larger establishments. The resulting condition does not always arise from
intended misuse by the public, but frequently from the fastidiousness of some customers who either
stand or squat on the seats of the W.C.'s or having used newspaper to coverthem leave it scattered
in the compartments. There is a tendency, which this Department resists, to close public sanitary
accommodation once it reaches a state with which the management can no longer cope.
The decision of a management to close sanitary accommodation for their customers often stems
from the wanton damage done within the compartments. Such arbitrary action, even if understandable,
cannot be condoned and while our inspectors are fully aware of the difficulties facing
management in preventing such vandalism, they can only continue to insist that it is kept to a
minimum by adequate supervision.
Street Traders—Markets and Stalls
The regular inspection of street markets and stalls with particular regard to sellers of foodstuffs
has been continued throughout the year. The traders concerned, can be classified as follows:—
Licensed street traders: Licensed to trade under Section 21 of the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act
1947, from designated streets and certain fixed sites. Licenses are valid for one year, and must
then be renewed.
Most of these traders, of whom there is an average of some 270, sell fruit and vegetables and operate
from the Council's fixed markets, viz:
Berwick Street
Church Street
Gt. Titchfield Street
Rupert Street
Strutton Ground
Tachbrook Street
Registered street traders: Licensed to trade under Section 19 of the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act
1947, from a street or streets. The registration is personal to those who were trading from nondesignated
streets and sites when the 1947 Act came into force.
There were originally some 100 persons in this category, but the number who now trade is much
reduced. They also engage primarily in the sale of fruit and vegetables.
Unauthorised street traders: These are persons who trade without authority and are mostly
itinerants selling fruit, ice-cream, soft drinks, hot dogs, and hot chestnuts.