The Licensing Panel is scheduled to convene to consider a temporary street trading licence application, and review guidance on declaring interests. The panel will also appoint a chair for the meeting. Reference documents for the meeting include the Order of Business, Licensing Panel Procedure 2025 and the Street Trading Policy.

Chiswick Flower Market Licence Application

The panel is scheduled to consider an application from Chiswick Flower Market for a temporary street trading licence. The application is for a location adjacent to 123-211 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 2DR-W4 2EG, W4 2DT, W4 2ED.

Chiswick Flower Market has applied to add alcohol to the list of items they intend to sell at the market, and requests the removal of conditions relating to the spacing of stalls and benches.

The report pack states that the market would have a maximum of 65 pitches, and would operate on the first Sunday of each month from 09:00 to 16:00 on:

• 4 January 2026
• 1 February 2026
• 1 March 2026
• 5 April 2026
• 3 May 2026
• 7 June 2026

The report pack notes that the stalls will mostly be either 6mx3m or 3mx3m, depending on requirements and size of trader. The items to be sold include flowers, plants, horticultural accessories, gifts, food and alcohol.

According to the Chiswick Flower Market Report, standard conditions dictate that the licensed area should not exceed one third of the useable width of the footpath, and a minimum unobstructed footpath width of 1.8 metres must be left clear.

Applicant's request for changes to licence conditions

The Chiswick Flower Market - Appendix A contains the applicant's request for three changes to the licence:

• Sale of alcohol: The applicant states that they have been approached by a Chiswick business about selling at the market, and they would like to be able to offer mulled wine at the Christmas market.
• Remove requirement of 1 metre distance between each stall: The applicant believes the 1m spacing to be unnecessary because the Old Market Place has numerous escape routes, and most of the flower market stalls are wide open, enabling people to walk through.
• Remove requirement of 1 metre distance from benches: The applicant says that this requirement limits the space for stalls in the area between Devonshire Road and Annadale Road, which makes the market disjointed.

Representations

The report pack includes a representation from Councillor Joanna Biddolph, who writes that she understands that the 1m rule was included due to an admin error, but that it raises questions about whether there should be a minimum distance between stalls, and between stalls and benches, for accessibility.

Councillor Joanna Biddolph says that without a minimum space, all the stalls could run into each other with no or minimal space between them, which raises concerns about accessibility. She says that if the market is busy, the space between the stalls is the only place people in wheelchairs can move out of the central area.

Councillor Joanna Biddolph quotes information sent to her by Celia Golden, explaining the legal position:

The law would not be so prescriptive as to set out the precise distance between stall holders . However, under the

Equality Act 2010 - Section 20, Part 2 - Duty to make adjustments for disabled people

i. Where a provision, criterion or practice of a public body puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage in relation to a relevant matter in comparison with persons who are not disabled, to take such steps as it is reasonable to have to take to avoid the disadvantage.

ii. Where a physical feature puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage in relation matter in comparison with persons who are not disabled, to take such steps as it is reasonable to have to take to avoid the disadvantage.

This is the law that disabled people can use to ask for adjustments to be made but only where it is reasonable to make such adjustments . Where it is not reasonable to make an adjustment then they must give regard to the nature of the disadvantage and take steps to mitigate the disadvantage.

Chiswick Flower Market - Appendix C includes an email from Satbir Gill, Network Manager at Hounslow Highways, requesting the removal of pitch E1, as with the previous Chiswick Market applications, since it was agreed that the Devonshire Road junction should be clear of obstructions.

Kathleen Mitra replied to Hounslow Highways stating that they only put a 3m stall in the E1 location, and they are very aware of the sightlines and the tactile crossing, so they ensure 2m clearance. Kathleen Mitra says that this location is very important to ensure a visual continuation and flow of the market.

Chiswick Flower Market - Appendix D includes representations from three ward councillors, Councillor Jack Emsley, Councillor Ron Mushiso and Councillor Ranjit Gill, who fully support the application.

Councillor Ranjit Gill writes:

Should there be any objections, I am happy to speak at the meeting as the Flower market brings a good footfall to the area and encourages people from outside Chiswick to spend funds here and helps grow our economy. The market has brought life to our high street and we should encourage such ventures.

Monitoring Officer Note on Interests

The panel will review the MO Guidance on Declaring Interests - March 2025. This document reminds committee members to consider the categories of interests in the Members' Code of Conduct to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take.