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51
The existing legislation provided by the 1950 Act, imposes half-day
and evening closing hour restrictions on all but a certain few types of
business. Over many years this statutory control has been a big factor in
maintaining some sort of equilibrium between traders, and despite some
recent demands for more freedom in trading hours, there is very little
evidence to suggest that a majority of traders would prefer to see the
end of such control. Indeed, so far as the small shopkeeper is concerned,
it is vitally important, for physical and economical reasons, that a limit
on trading hours is maintained. Nearly all the general trading shops in
Harrow are closed by or before 6 o'clock most evenings, which is two
hours earlier than they are required to be closed by law, and this suggests
that a reasonable balance exists as between shopkeepers, shop assistants
and the shopping public.
Regarding half-day closing, there is a widespread appeal for the
removal of restrictions imposed by local Closing Orders on numerous
small groups of traders throughout the country; the repeal of these
Orders, most of which were made over 50 years ago, would leave these
shopkeepers like the remainder free to choose their own half-day for
closing; there are several such Orders still in operation in some parts
of the Harrow area.
The 5-day working week for employees, which has become so
popular throughout most branches of industry and commerce, is now
being accepted as inevitable by the retail trade. In a number of shops in
Harrow, staff are being employed on a 5-day working rota without
cutting down on normal trading hours, while in others the shop is being
closed for a whole day per week instead of just the statutory half-day.
VERMIN AND OTHER PESTS
Pigeons.
During the early months of the year complaints about the presence
of these birds were received from most parts of the Borough and at the
same time there were signs of a build up in the pigeon population in the
district. The shopping centres at Rayners Lane, Belmont and South
narrow were attracting large numbers and the fouling of the footways
and buildings in these areas was not inconsiderable.
In order to deal with the situation, the Council, during July entered
into a contract with a specialist firm and by the end of the year as a
result of the action taken by them the problem was coming under
control. Fewer complaints were being received and a noticeable reduction
the number of birds was to be seen in those areas where control
measures by the contractor had been undertaken.
It is hoped that by the end of 1965 the feral pigeon population of
the Borough will be reduced to negligible proportion although to achieve
this desirable objective the co-operation of the general public will be
necessary. These birds will remain and others will be attracted to sites
where they are fed regularly and the feeding of them by the members
of the public adds considerably to the problems of efficient control.