Fruiterer losing 'a monkey a week' due to council clampdown (From Sutton Guardian)
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Worcester Park businessman says licensing rules are costing him dearly
9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News By James Pepper
Fruiterer losing 'a monkey a week' due to council clampdown
A fruiterer has claimed that council licensing rules are costing him £500 a weekend.
Ross Nelson, owner of Ross's Fruiterer's on Central Road said Sutton Council has forced him to reduce the size of his display.
Since the council granted a temporary street licence in January, which restricts his display from 1.5 metres outside his shop, to 1 metre, Mr Nelson said he is losing "a fortune".
He said: "I might have to cut staff because of this, I'm losing so much money. The council is attacking the local independent businesses I don't know why. We have been here forever and are a key part of the community, but the council don't make us feel like that."
A council spokesman said: "We are always happy to discuss any concerns traders may have and Mr Nelson is welcome to contact us.
However, licences are granted under certain conditions, which are designed to maintain the safety of pedestrians and to allow access for wheelchairs and buggies, and it is our duty to ensure that those conditions are not broken."
Comments(2)
smurf2
says...
5:24pm Fri 15 Mar 13
His cavalier attitude to pedestrians, buggy-users and wheelchair users (not to mention his indifference to parking regulations) should be tolerated no longer; I laud the action taken in reducing his display area and much appreciate being able to pass his premises unimpeded.
An added bonus is that Checkers now has the use of its full frontage.
Yey!
andrewss says...
8:35pm Sat 9 Mar 13
The pavement space on this stretch is very narrow and I have seen parents with buggies and wheelchair users struggling to get through!
Residents will continue to buy, he will just have to have a better layout in hhis shop.
He was always flouting the yellow lines and abusing his "delivery" times.