Agenda item

To consider applications for the grant of a Street Trading Consent in principle at the following locations:

a.   Bristol Marina – Hannover Place

b.   Hannover Quay

c.   Central Promenade

d.   Narrow Quay A

e.   Narrow Quay B

f.     Narrow Quay C

g.   Bush Corner

h.   Thunderbolt Square

i.     Back of Bridge Street

(Councillor Davies left the Meeting during this item and did not therefore take part in the decision making.)

The Service Manager, Neighbourhood Management and Planning and Development Advisor were in attendance.

The Chair explained the procedure that would be followed and everyone introduced themselves.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report and summarised it for everyone. She explained that the applications were for generic consents at each of the locations prior to the formal tendering process for the concessions taking place. All tenderers would have to undergo the usual checks to ensure that they are fit and proper to be granted consent(s). The Committee can add conditions that it thinks are appropriate to any or all of the locations.

The Service Manager, Neighbourhood Management explained how the tendering process would be carried out. Tenderers would be required to submit prices but quality would also be very important. There will be a 70%/30% split in favour of quality over price. Tenderers would bid for the site(s) they are interested in and would be required to submit a fully costed business plan explaining what they want to sell at each site. A consultation process has already taken place. The results showed that people wanted to see income generation rather than cuts in services and identified the sites chosen for the consents.

The Planning and Development Advisor stated that advertising for the tenders will take place in January 2019. None of the concessions will compete with adjacent businesses.

In response to a question, the Service Manager, Neighbourhood Management explained that although there is no BCC Policy concerning single use plastic, environmental and sustainability issues would be very important to the tendering process including for example the requirement to use only electrically powered vehicles and generators.

In response to a question about pay rates, it was explained that part of the quality assessment of tenders would be in relation to management of staff, pay and conditions.

In response to a question concerning the assessment of tenders it was explained that the quality/price elements of the process should assist applicants with good quality products. The expected prices will be known and the tenders will be assessed across the board including business plans. Successful street trading consents can lead to the holders taking on permanent premises. Street trading concessions can be opportunities to try new products and for smaller businesses to grow.

The Service Manager, Neighbourhood Management summed up the applications.

The Licensing Officer, Service Manager, Neighbourhood Management and Planning and Development Advisor left the room while the Committee made its decision.

Decision

The Members considered very carefully all of the written and verbal evidence presented to them.

They noted the objections received and considered that the proposed Conditions would address the concerns raised. They also noted that at this stage they are only being asked to decide on the maximum trading hours and the locations. They are not being asked to decide on any specific concessions. They therefore agreed to the hours and the locations along with the proposed Conditions.

Everyone returned to the room to hear the announcement of the decision.

Resolved – that the applications for the grant of a Street Trading Consent in principle at the following locations: Bristol Marina – Hannover Place, Hannover Quay, Central Promenade, Narrow Quay A, Narrow Quay B, Narrow Quay C, Bush Corner, Thunderbolt Square and Back of Bridge Street between the maximum hours of 0700 and 2000 Monday to Sunday be agreed subject to the proposed Conditions.