Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Walford was elected Chair for the meeting.

Those present to introduce themselves and the Chair to outline the procedure for the meeting.

Those present introduced themselves and the Chair outlined the procedure to be followed for the meeting.

No declarations were made on this occasion.

To consider the appeal by Mr Catley against the decision to refuse a street trading consent against agreed criteria.

Licensing Officer’s Report

The City Centre Improvement Officer presented a report inviting members to consider the appeal by Mr Catley against the decision to refuse a street trading             consent against agreed criteria.

Appellants Statement

Mr Catley agreed that all information outlined in the City Centre Improvements Officers report was correct.

Mr Catley said that he and his company had been trading in Kings Square for 15 years. He stated that this application was made after the closure of Kings Square Market negatively impacted his business, as there had been less custom since the move into Eastgate Market.

Mr Catley said that he had been offered to move into Eastgate Market in October 2019 and added that the indoor market had not been viable.

Mr Catley said that the Conservation Officer had raised issues about the possible damaging of York Stone. He stated that there would be no damage of the curbs, pavements or York Stones.

Mr Catley concluded by stating that he was desperately seeking to continue trading in Gloucester and that Eastgate Market was not a viable option. He added that, if he could not find an alternative location to trade, then he feared that he may lose his business. He said that he felt that there could be some mediation to allow his business to continue operating within the city centre of Gloucester.  

Councillor Hansdot asked Mr Catley if he had been trading in the City Centre.

Mr Catley responded that he had been trading for approximately 15 years in Kings Square every Friday and Saturday.

The Chair asked Mr Catley to confirm whether he intended to use a Gazebo on the site.

Mr Catley responded that he would either be using a unit or a Gazebo on the site but not both.

The Chair asked whether Mr Catley was willing to mediate with officers about locating to somewhere other than the Oxbode in Gloucester, so long as it was within the City Centre.

Mr Catley stated that he was prepared to mediate.

The Solicitor noted that Mr Catley would have to complete a new application if he wanted to locate somewhere other than the Oxbode, should his appeal be dismissed.

The Chair asked Mr Catley to explain what he meant about the ambience of the area.

Mr Catley replied that concerns had been raised about the impact a street trading unit may have on the ambience of the area. He noted that there was a reduction of footfall in high streets throughout the Country. He said that if there was no reason to bring people into the area, then concerns raised about the ambience of the area would be irrelevant as there would not be people there. 

Summing Up by the Licensing Officer

The City Centre Improvement Officer outlined the options available to the Sub- Committee detailed in paragraph 2.1 of the report.

Summing up by the Appellant

Mr Catley stated that he did not want to move his business outside of Gloucester as he had spent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.