Exeter street trader fined £2,969

A street trader caught illegally operating in Exeter city centre has been ordered to pay £2,969 in fines and costs

Leonard Grey of Frog Lane, Bristol was found guilty at Exeter Magistrates Court on Wednesday 13 July of three offences of illegally street trading under Schedule 4, Section 10 (1) (a) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. He was fined £200 per offence and full costs were awarded of £2,369.

On 19 November, 3 and 18 December 2015, environmental health and licensing officers observed Grey illegally selling scarves in the High Street of the city centre.

Exeter City Council said that trading illegally would not be tolerated in the city. Goods traded illegally are often inferior quality, can be unsafe and threaten the livelihoods of genuine city centre shops. If an item is faulty, customers can be left with no method of redress if the trader moves on.

Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Place, said: “Our officers will continue to crack down on any illegal nuisance traders operating in our city. Illegal street trading which clutters up the pavement and creates issues of public safety, has no place on the streets of Exeter. Such itinerant traders are aware of the law and we will prosecute anyone caught trading unlawfully to keep Exeter safe.”

Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, said: “Having a thriving city is at the heart of the Council’s economic agenda. Illegal street traders with their often shoddy goods, undermine legitimate city centre stores and can leave people feeling ripped off. Large events and the festive period often bring a surge in illegal street trading and we urge residents not to waste money on the merchandise, which can be of a poor quality or even counterfeit.”