DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2009/29)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 10 February 2009
The Department for
Business today published an independent research report on street
trading and certified pedlary in Great Britain.
While the report, conducted by Durham University, found no
evidence that pedlars pose a problem on a national scale, it
suggested that current laws regulating street trading and pedlary
could potentially be improved by:
* National guidance on the meaning and application of the current
arrangements, which contain ambiguities and vary across Great Britain;
* Modernsing the Pedlars Act, e.g. updating and standardising the
pedlars' certificate to enable easier identification of
genuine certificates; and
* A more flexible enforcement regime, including less burdensome
options to criminal prosecution (e.g. fixed penalty notices).
Welcoming the report, Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said:
"I commissioned this research in order to gain a fuller
understanding of the current situation and whether there is a case
for change.
"My Department will now begin work towards a full public
consultation on national guidance and options for possible
legislative change to ensure we're striking the right balance
between the interests of business, consumers and pedlars."
The report, 'Street Trading and Pedlary in Great Britain: a
report of research into the application and perception of local
authority controls and pedlar legislation', is available at:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/business/market-trading/page46738.html
Notes for Editors:
1. The project was undertaken by St. Chad's College,
University of Durham, over summer and autumn 2008. The research,
the first comprehensive assessment of street trading activity and
legislation, gathered views and evidence from a wide range of
stakeholders, including local authorities, the police, street
traders, pedlars, trade bodies and consumer organisations.
2. The Department commissioned the research partly in response to
a number of Local Authorities seeking further powers to regulate
trading and pedlary in their streets. In addition, Dr. Brian Iddon
MP brought a Private Member's Bill on street trading before
Parliament in the 2007-8 Session.
3. Given the number of Private Bills, the Department undertook to
examine whether national legislative change is needed. The first
stage of this work was the project whose findings are being
published today.
4. In England and Wales, street trading is regulated under
Schedule IV of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
1982. Pedlary in England and Wales is regulated under the Pedlars
Acts 1871 and 1881.