Middlesbrough town centre street trading specification
1. Street trading is regulated in Middlesbrough Town Centre under the provisions of the Local Government (Misc Provisions) Act 1982. Middlesbrough Council may grant a trading consent, if it thinks fit. Currently there are 4 long-term food traders holding annual consents operating from Linthorpe Road and Gilkes Street, and occasional consents are granted from time to time for a variety of goods.
2. Following a review of the current street trading experience, which involved pubic surveys and consultations, Middlesbrough Council is keen to promote a style of street trading within the Town Centre which adds positively to the retail experience and meets the needs of the public.
3. Middlesbrough Council wishes to see trading units of a type that enhance the town centre and are in character with the surroundings. These units must be removed daily; units are not permitted to remain on site overnight.
4. Whilst the Council is committed to long term arrangements for street traders who meet the criteria in this specification, by law consents have to be renewed annually, therefore renewals cannot be legally guaranteed
5. Up to 9 potential trading sites are available on Gilkes Street, Linthorpe Road Davidson St (exhibition site), Gilkes Street and Corporation Road within the designated consent street area from the range of sites identified on the attached map
6. Middlesbrough Council seeks to encourage high quality trading units and operational practices meeting the following design and operating characteristics:
- Any wheels should be covered during trading either by lowering the unit or by the addition of a temporary surround when trading
- Any tow bar should be removed or hidden from view when trading
- A canopy or enclosure should be provided to protect customers during inclement weather.
- Units should be presented in a British racing green colour with discrete gold coloured signage, unless the product sold justifies to the satisfaction of the council an alternate colour scheme.
- Advertising signs should not be separate from the trading unit
- Units should not normally exceed 4 metres by 2.5 metres in size.
- Units should be provided with water, washing and self contained waste facilities.
- Traders should provided a waste bin in the immediate vicinity the trading unit of sufficient size to meet the needs of the business
- During trading, and at the end of the trading day, provision should be made to keep the pavement and highway clean of waste arising from the business.
- The trading operation should be capable of connecting to an external power supply and trade without the use of a generator
7. Applications for quality public seating in the vicinity of the trading unit would be considered on the merits of the case made, and will have regard to available space and the priorities identified in paragraphs 2 and 3.
8. Applications for temporary themed markets that add value to the retail experience are encouraged, for example, a quality Christmas market or a quality Continental market.
9. Every effort will be made to integrate temporary and permanent traders into speciality markets and special events.
10. Desirable goods to be offered for sale include; newspapers, magazines, fruit and vegetables, ice cream, fresh food products, arts and crafts, speciality foods, sweets, flowers, drinks and in particular goods that are not currently available in the Town Centre.
11. A 3-year transition period will be applied to the 4 existing long-standing street traders to allow them to upgrade to the enhanced specification in this document, or find other business opportunities.
Night time street trading
12. New applications for night time street trading consent will not be considered, unless an applicant is able to demonstrate that they will to add positively to the products currently provided by existing retailers
Davidson Street exhibition site
13. This site is considered a suitable location for issuing consents for promotional activities by commercial, charitable and non profit-making organisation and businesses. Differential fees will continue to apply dependent on the activity and service offered, with reduced rates for charitable and non-profit making concerns. Depending on the availability and size of pitch required, the Council may also consider allocating pitches on Linthorpe Road and Corporation Road for exhibition uses.