Warning to illegal sellers poaching Illuminations' trade

3:04pm Friday 5th September 2008

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Blackpool Council is sending out a warning to illegal street traders that their trading days are numbered.

Council chiefs said that throughout the Illuminations season there are lots of people lining the road selling flashing novelty items.

They are reminding people that only sellers with a peddlers licence can sell goods on the street.

Therefore, council bosses claim, the current influx of traders illegal.

Councillor Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Regeneration, said: “We know that people enjoying the fireworks and Illuminations like to buy novelty goods and there are places they can do so legally.

“But it’s just not fair that illegal traders are taking money away from local businesses and we are determined to crack down on it.

“As part of Blackpool Council’s ongoing clean up campaign Council officers will be confiscating goods from anyone trading illegally.

"We have a zero tolerance approach and that’s what is needed to show these traders that they are not welcome.

“We will also continue our crackdown on the sale of lewd goods.

"We want Blackpool to be a welcoming resort for families and that means taking action against illegal traders and shops that are selling inappropriate items.”

Anyone found to be selling goods on the street without a peddlers license will have their goods seized and will face prosecution.

Peddlers should also be aware of the conditions of holding a licence.

The licence is not exclusively to trade in Blackpool, by strict interpretation of the legislation, the holder of a licence should travel from town to town, and carry his wares on his/her person.

This will be enforced robustly this year, and the number of times a person trades continuously in Blackpool will be monitored.

Visitors to Blackpool who want to purchase novelty items are encourgaed to visit the resort's many gift shops in the town or the new Illuminations Shop in Clifton Street.