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V ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Chief Public Health Inspector reports as follows:-
Street Trading in Food
"The Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966 have
been in operation for two years and it would have been reasonable to assume that after
this time a satisfactory overall improvement would have been achieved. This is not the
case, for only certain stalls here and there are seen to be fully complying with the
Regulations. A half-hearted effort has been made by others.
To say the least, this is certainly not a reflection on the time and trouble which
Public Health Inspectors have spent explaining the requirements verbally, and in writing
to traders, and after these painstaking efforts have failed, taking numerous prosecutions
to the Magistrates' Court where heavy penalties have been imposed, With most sections of
the community the law is respected and co-operation in implementing it is forthcoming,
but street traders are, in some cases, stubborn and unco-operative. This could be
attributed to their inability to appreciate that cleanliness is of paramount importance
where the handling of food is concerned, and their reluctance to change habits which have
been practised for years. However, when a trader states that "You can't have fish
without flies", then Food Hygiene Regulations are obviously not the complete answer
neither is "Petticoat Lane" on a Sunday morning the place to try to preach Health
Education. These are just some of the many difficulties encountered in trying to improve
street trading conditions
With the licensed trader, hope is held high that common sense and persuasion will
prevail eventually, but with the unlicensed trader we are fighting a losing battle for
the moment. These "pirates" appear in this and other areas knowing that, even if they
are prosecuted for illegal trading, the fine will probably be less than a genuine trader
would pay for a licence over a period. Invariably they are abusive and belligerent when
approached and in cases where a name and address is given it is often false so that
summonses cannot be served. Hot dog and ice cream trollies are the chief offenders in the
streets, and fruit and vegetable vendors on vacant land. Much heavier penalties for
illegal trading would certainly help in this direction. Street trading is not likely to
disappear, so what for the future?
Two street markets are about to be absorbed in redevelopment schemes and alternative
facilities to be provided in the new development. Here are chances which must not be
missed. Consideration should be given to Council owned stalls and awnings being hired out
to traders in the new market and to storage facilities, refuse disposal and hot water
points being provided in the development. This will not only give the Public Health
Inspectors a sound basis to work from but will prevent worn out stalls with bedraggled
awnings being incorporated in a new development. It is foreseeable that most street
markets could eventually be transformed in this way.
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