Illegal street trader prosecuted

This article is 5 years old

Press Release

Published on 10 April 2019
Archived on 10 May 2019


Stratford-on-Avon District Council has successfully prosecuted an illegal street trader.

Mr Russell Charlton of Boston, Lincolnshire had ignored warnings from the District Council's Licensing team following persistent illegal street trading - for selling bubble wands and wriggly worms from a very large trolley on the Bancroft Gardens in Stratford-upon-Avon last summer.

In February, Mr Charlton was prosecuted by the District Council for Illegal Street Trading at the Magistrates' Court in Nuneaton.

The Bench heard the facts of the case and the Magistrates unanimously agreed that the case had been proved and found Mr Charlton guilty of the five street trading offences before them.

The District Council was awarded full costs of £2,920.05 and Mr Charlton was fined £600 for each offence making a total cost of £3,000. A victim's surcharge of 10% being £60 was also added to this figure and this was ordered to be paid within 14 days.

In total Mr Charlton had to pay £5,980.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Licensing team spokesperson says: "The District Council's Licensing team have been concerned by unlawful street trading in the public spaces in Stratford-upon-Avon. An approach of education and advice has proven ineffective in some cases and unlawful trading has continued.  This has been the case here with a trader on Bancroft Gardens, where he was using a Pedlars' Certificate but this doesn't authorise street trading.

"With the holiday season approaching the District Council's Licensing Team will continue enforcement of the system of Street Trading Consents. Enforcing this legislation helps to protect retail premises in the town from unfair competition."

Mr Charlton was in possession of a Pedlar's Certificate issued in Skegness, Lincolnshire. The conviction has now been reported to this Police Authority and as a result the Pedlar's Certificate has been revoked.

Pedlar's Certificates: These are issued to traders who can carry their goods with them and trade on foot. Traditionally these would have often been held by individuals selling door to door. A Pedlar's Certificate is issued by the Police and is valid throughout the UK. To apply for a Pedlar's Certificate you need to be 17 or over and have lived in the District where you apply for more than 28 days, although the certificate will generally not restrict the applicant to trading in that District.  

Street Trading Consent: Street Trading Consents are issued by the District Council to regulate trading in the streets of the District. They allow trading from a fixed location with an approved stall or van or barrow. There are a number of criteria to meet to obtain a street trading consent, including identification of a safe and suitable location, suitable trading times and items using safe equipment and practices.


Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 10/04/2019