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are sometimes shabby and urgently in need of decoration. There is a lack of
adequate ventilation in many shop premises. Unfortunately, security demands
securely fixed windows and there is a reluctance to provide mechanical ventilation.
There is a serious shortage of storage space in many shops, storage having been
sacrificed to enlarge the shop area.
47 accidents were reported during the year, but none was of a serious nature.
It is probable that more accidents occurred but were not reported. Many occupiers
of offices and shops still appear to be unaware of their responsibilities under this
requirement of the Act.
Accidents occur in warehouses principally due to bad driving of fork-lift trucks
and bad stocking of goods. Every opportunity is taken during inspections to advise
on accident prevention. Some occupiers have marked thoroughfares with white
lines, giving a carriageway of not less than twice the width of the widest vehicle,
and have agreed to one-way traffic systems in the warehouses. Reversing mirrors
have been fitted to vehicles, but a certificate of competency to drive would be a
useful requirement for drivers of fork-lift vehicles.
The Shops Act, 1950, is a consolidating Act, re-enacting the existing law on
hours of closing, certain conditions of employment, Sunday trading and general
matters relating to these subjects.
Provisions relating to street trading are included in the Middlesex County
Council Acts and Bye-laws made thereunder.
The estimated number of shops in the Borough is 1,712 and there is one street
market with 38 licensed sites trading six days a week. A further eight licensed street
traders are situated throughout the Borough.
A privately owned covered market trades six days a week and another private
market is held in the Enfield market square every Saturday.
During the year, 2,437 visits were made to shops and stalls. In two instances
warning letters were sent following contraventions of the Sunday trading provisions.
(Statistical Table 43—see page 135).
HAIRDRESSERS' AND BARBERS' PREMISES
Bye-laws for securing the cleanliness of any premises used for these businesses
and of instruments, towels and materials used in such premises, were made by the
former Boroughs of Enfield in 1937 and Edmonton in 1963. The Bye-laws are still
operative in the areas of these former Boroughs and as under the Public Health
Act, 1961, Section 77, local authorities may make Bye-laws to secure similar
hygienic standards in hairdressers' and barbers' premises, new Bye-laws will, in
due course, secure that uniform standards will apply to these premises in the area
of the new Borough.
During the year, 15 visits were paid to these premises and no defects were noted.
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