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SHOPS ACT, 1950.
Two hundred and thirteen visits were made in the
administration of this Act and 7 infringements corrected.
"Shop" for the purpose of this Act is a very comprehensive
term and includes any premises where any retail trade or
"business is carried on.
The number of such premises in the Borough at the end
of 1961 was
Antique dealers and second-hand furniture 8
Bakers 18
Boots and Shoes 28
Builders and Decorators supplies 29
Butchers 34
Cafes and Restaurants 39
Chemists 23
Confectioners, newsagents and tobacconists 93
Cycles, radio and television 26
Dairies and Milkshops 7
Drapers and Ladies' Outfitters 51
Electrical supplies 20
Fishmongers and Fried Fish Shops 15
General Stores 13
Greengrocers, Fruiterers and Florists 60
Grocers and Provision Merchants 75
Hairdressers 51
Hardware, Ironmongery and Timber 23
Licensed premises 54
Motor and Cycle dealers and Engineers 32
Tailors and Outfitters 14
Upholsterers and House Furnishers 15
Watchmakers and Jewellers 9
Miscellaneous 106
843
The present unsatisfactory state of the law with regard to
shops is to be deplored.
The 1950 Act is merely a consolidation of legislation passed
between 1912 and 1938 and is to a large degree outmoded.
Further, there have been many decisions given by the Courts
which have rendered much of the Act virtually incomprehensible
and consequently inoperable.
It seems most desirable for the sake of traders, public
and local authorities, as well as for Inspectors trying to carry
out their duties in a state of uncertainty, that the situation
should be straightened out at an early date.
45.