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some improvement has occurred. The greatest deficiency, and the most important, is the failure
to provide satisfactory washing facilities.
Street trading in general is authorised by the City Council under the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1947. The Department controlling the licensing and registering of these
traders is the Public Control Section of the Town Clerk's Department. Action against those who
are found to be engaged in unauthorised trading in contravention of the Act is undertaken by that
Department under the direction of the City Solicitor.
Registration of Food Premises
Several discussions have taken place in the past regarding the desirability of seeking legislation
for the compulsory registration of all premises which engage in the sale and/or preparation of food,
in order to secure compliance with proper food hygiene standards.
Individual local authorities undoubtedly have different points of view on the subject, depending
on their experience and local problems, but it is considered in Westminster that there is a special
case for the implementation of this proposal.
Catering and associated food businesses are carried on in the City on a vast scale—diversified,
highly commercial, in premises both large and small. It is essential from the standpoint of compliance
with the various enactments that all premises in the City should be known to the Department and
their suitability established. It seems incongruous that legislation should require a person to be
registered with a local authority for the sale of milk in a sealed container, where virtually no health
hazard exists, yet premises where food is prepared and sold for consumption, with all the hazards
involved, are precluded from this requirement.
It is the experience of all local authorities, particularly those in Greater London, that catering
premises (and food shops) sometimes open up for business without the knowledge of the local
health department. Some of these premises are subsequently found to fall short of statutory
requirements but once opened there is sometimes reluctance on the part of the proprietor to carry
out the necessary works which often involve expensive modification of inadequate provisions
already made. Resort can, of course, be made to the powers available, but it is often a long road
before compliance is achieved; this engages the time and attention of the individual Inspector
which could be more usefully employed elsewhere.
Food and beverages are often dispensed at unlicensed clubs. Food has been found to be prepared
in some instances under conditions which have little relation to the requirements of the Food
Hygiene Regulations, and it can be some time before the premises become known to the Department.
A similar position obtains in the case of premises where bed and breakfast and other meals are
provided for short-term residents; there is a considerable number of this type of premises in
Westminster.
If Government approval to registration of catering premises is ever forthcoming, it is known
that compulsory registration will not find favour with many of those concerned; but if new legislation
is to be effective it should be realistic, with an absolute minimum of exemption clauses.
Catering Premises
Sites in main roads—especially in new blocks—are expensive and for this reason are mainly
in the hands of the larger catering groups; the would-be small caterer is increasingly being forced
into accepting older premises in side streets if he hopes to survive in business. Whilst structural
standards continue to improve in the larger establishments, there is a serious impediment to
structural improvements in the older property where freehold premises are being gradually acquired
for block control by one owner.
Notably, this is true of the area around Piccadilly Circus where the future with regard to development
is uncertain. As leases fall in the owners are not now prepared to grant long renewal but are
at the same time willing to let premises for catering without accepting any structural responsibility
despite the fact that the comfort of their other tenants may depend upon the effectiveness of the
work undertaken. Not unnaturally, the occupier in these circumstances wishes to keep his capital
outlay to a minimum, and this Department is often forced to accept a standard of work sufficient
only to comply with the minimal statutory requirements. In these cases, unless frequent inspections
are made of the premises, there is a strong possibility that conditions will rapidly deteriorate.
Particularly important in this connection are the cases where it is considered that the provision
of mechanical ventilation is required and as this can involve a heavy outlay many traders are loath
to instal plant which they consider to be an unjustifiable expense, which is unlikely to be reflected
in subsequent profits.