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By the end of the year a total of 2,902 premises had been registered. This
represents the total register of premises in the borough and subsequent registrations
will be in respect of change of occupancy and/or new premises. A total of 4,232
visits were made and 84 new registrations were received during the year. One hundred
and thirty-five notices were served drawing the attention of occupiers of premises to
contraventions of the Act. All but one of these contraventions were of a minor
character; in the remaining case proceedings were taken which resulted in a fine of
£20 0s. Od. with £5 5s. Od. costs.
Fifty-three accidents were reported but none was of a serious nature. In the
majority of these cases—cuts from sharp instruments, bruising and sprains from
slipping and falling on wet or uneven surfaces—carelessness appears to have been
a contributory factor. More thought and care in the handling of goods and equipment
and instruction on the best and most effective methods would probably lead to a
reduction in the number of these minor accidents.
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. No prosecutions were taken under this Act.
The Shops (Early Closing Days) Act, 1965, provides, inter alia, for an early
closing day to be selected by the occupier of the premises and for the substitution of
the expression "early closing day" for the expression "weekly half-holiday”.
Provisions relating to street trading were included in the Middlesex County
Council Acts and Byelaws made thereunder. These provisions were extended by
Local Law (North-West London Boroughs) Order, 1965. There were no prosecutions
in relation to street trading during the year.
The recorded number of shops in the borough is 1,841. A street market with
originally 40 licensed sites trades six days a week. By the end of the year this number
had been reduced to 36. This licensed market is situate in the Edmonton Green
Redevelopment Area and it is anticipated that in the Autumn of 1970 these traders
will be moved to a new market square which is being included in the Redevelopment
scheme. A further five licensed street traders are situated in other parts of the
borough.
A privately owned covered market trades six days a week in the Edmonton
area and another private market is held in the Enfield market square every Saturday.
During the year, 2,925 visits were made to shops and stalls. Some of these were
primary inspections to premises where a change in use had occurred. Minor
contraventions noted were found to have been remedied on re-inspection. No
prosecutions were taken.
(See Statistical Table 38)
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