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every opportunity is taken of impressing staff with the importance of this requirement—although the
necessary notice is often missing. The Regulations also require that at or near every wash hand
basin available for the use of persons engaged in the handling of food there shall be provided
supplies of soap or other detergent, nail brushes and clean towels. It is a frequent occurrence that
one or all of these essential items for maintenance of personal hygiene are missing at the time
of inspection. Their absence tends to imply that the hand basin is not used as much as it should be.
Licensing Act 1964
The provisions of this Act enable 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 in 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 purpose of habitually providing customary main meals or, if after
reasonable steps have been taken, it was not possible to inspect the premises.
All premises in respect of which such applications to the Licensing Justices were received during
the year were inspected before the hearing. In one case action was taken to raise a formal objection
to a variation in a Club Registration Certificate on the grounds that the new premises were not
suitable for the purpose for which they were intended by reason of their general condition. The
solicitors acting for the applicant were informed of the Council's intention, and the application
was withdrawn. In another instance concerning an application for a residential licence at hotel
premises the inspector gave evidence to the Bench of the inadequate catering facilities available
and the application was refused. The possible formation of the necessary kitchen on lines recommended
by the inspector was later raised with the applicant but no further approach was made
to the Department.
Other cases were held over or refused until the Department had satisfied the Justices' Clerk that
action had been taken to remedy inadequacies or that works outstanding were sufficiently advanced
to permit the application to be granted.
Street Traders—Markets and Stalls
Co-operation between officers of the City Council and the Market Traders Association, who
represent the street traders on sites in Westminster, has been further strengthened. During the year
meetings took place between the Association and Health Department officers who were able to
offer advice on a number of matters.
At the close of the year, the twelve street traders' premises forming part of the Church Street
Development were completed but not yet occupied. At the outset it was agreed that in planning the
scheme provision would be made for adequate off-street storage accommodation for traders dealing
in foodstuffs, and additionally that there should be space for storing the stall and stock of foods,
sufficient working area for the preparation and sorting of foods, and facilities for washing food and
equipment. Sanitary accommodation, personal washing facilities, clothes lockers and bulk refuse
compartments were also to be provided. The result is a most satisfactory arrangement which is
acceptable to the street traders and complies with the Regulations. It is probably the first of its
kind in this country.
Of all the problems confronting the street trader that of obtaining satisfactory storage facilities
within easy reach of his stall is probably the greatest and one which without the help of the local
authority he may find it impossible to solve. The outcome is that quantities of produce are taken
to the stall, or delivered to the stall site, and stacked in a manner which not only looks unsightly
but can lead to indiscriminate dumping of refuse once the boxes and cartons are opened and the
food removed. The practice also subjects the goods to risk of contamination.
Discussions have been taking place with street traders' representatives as to the type of stall
for use in street markets which will comply in all respects with the Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls &
Delivery Vehicles) Regulations 1966, at a cost within reach of the trader. Following investigation
into several possibilities, a firm manufacturing fibre-glass components has offered to provide a
"mock up" of any suggestion for a suitable stall which would be likely to be acceptable to the
traders concerned and be a commercial proposition. It has been suggested that the base of the