Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 24, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Notification of decision following a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing to determine an application for a temporary street trading licence pursuant to the London Local Authorities Act 1990, as amended   SITE: Meryem Fruit and Vegetables, to be positioned on the raised steps on the side of Holy Trinity Church, TW3 1HG   TO: Meryem Fruit and Vegetables (“the Applicant”)    TAKE NOTICE THAT following a hearing before the Licensing and General Purposes Sub-Committee   ON 24th November 2025, the London Borough of Hounslow, as the relevant Licensing Authority     RESOLVED as follows:   1)     The Sub-Committee convened to determine an application in respect of the grant of a temporary street trading licence made pursuant to section 31 of the London Local Authorities Act 1990, as amended (the “Act”).   2)     The application, which is shown at Appendix A of the Agenda pack, for a temporary street trading licence. The applicant wishes to renew his licence, which is due to expire in December 2025, for the Site measuring 10 meters in depth and 4 meters in width, to place a stall on the raised steps on the side of the Holy Trinity Church in the area as highlighted in the plan. The Applicant wishes to continue to sell fresh fruit and vegetables from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 7:00 am to 19:00 pm as per the original licence.   3)     The hearing was in person. The Sub-Committee consisted of three members. All members of the Licensing Sub-Committee were in attendance throughout the hearing, and during deliberation, which took place separately in a closed session once the hearing of the evidence had concluded.   4)     During the consultation process, the Licensing Authority received 1 representation from Licensing Enforcement Officer, Mr Charlie Hennessy – Commercial Standards. Mr Hennessy attended the hearing and confirmed his representations as per his letter and email dated 27th October 2025.  The Licensing Officer, Mr Hennessy, basis of objection was on the grounds of The Prevention of Public Nuisance. The full representations are attached at Appendix B.             5)     In making its decision, the Sub-Committee carefully considered all the relevant information, including:   -                   Written and oral representations submitted by all the parties -                   Oral representations made by the parties during the licensing panel hearing -                   The London Local Authorities Act 1990 as amended (“the Act”) -                   Hounslow Council’s Street Trading Policy (“the Policy”) -                   The Human Rights Act 1998   6)     At the hearing, Mr Hennessey stated that the Licence Holder has received two Fixed Penalty Notices during the licence period for trading in an area larger than previously authorised. Both fixed penalty notices have been paid. The Officer also noted that the Applicant received 10 additional penalty notices from the Highways Department, though specific details were not available.   7)     Following complaints from local ward councillors regarding the stall set-up, Mr Hennessey conducted two site inspections, which confirmed non-compliance with licence conditions. Guidance was provided to rectify the issues. For the past two months or more, the operators have shown significant improvement, and councillors have since withdrawn their objections.   8)     Mr Hennessey observed that during the period of non-compliance, many other street traders were also failing to adhere to licence conditions. However, the Applicant’s recent positive behaviour has set an example, and other traders have similarly improved.  The Licensing Officer stressed the need for the stall to strictly adhere to the authorised parameters of 10 metres in depth and 4 metres in width and remain within the designated raised area going forward.  He also reinforced to all parties that compliance with these parameters is mandatory to ensure public safety, as others rely on the tactile paving to navigate the pavements.   9)     A police inspection on 17 October 2025 revealed that an individual working at the stall did not have an ID card issued by the Licensing Authority, constituting a breach of Condition 39 of the licence.  Licensing Enforcement was informed that the Licence Holder experienced a period of ill health during the licence term, resulting in their absence from the pitch. The Licence Holder has since returned and is consistently present.  A marked improvement has been noted in compliance, particularly in operating strictly within the licensed area. Mr Hennessey has proposed additional conditions on behalf of the Licensing Authority.   10) At the hearing, the Applicant represented himself but was assisted at the hearing by his legal representative from Gull Law Associates.  Mr Muhammad Abubakav Shatawan, described as the Licence Holder, attended on behalf of the Applicant/company.  Mr Hassan, the manager of the stall and Reverend Sally Bally of the Holy Trinity Church, who provided a letter in support of the licence application as contained in Appendix B, both attended in support.   11) The Applicant expressed deep remorse and explained that his period of ill health prevented him from managing the stall effectively. During his absence, some stall workers who spoke limited English encouraged practices that led to non-compliance, which led to the additional penalty notices incurred from the Highways department. He confirmed that these issues have since been rectified.   12) The Applicant stated that he now works closely with Mr Hennessey and maintains a good working relationship, which Mr Hennessey confirmed. Mr Hassan, described as the manager of the stall, also explained that he regularly sends photographs of the stall to Mr Hennessey, almost daily, to demonstrate ongoing compliance with the licence conditions.   13) The Applicant further confirmed that approximately five workers, including the Licence Holder, now hold ID cards issued by Hounslow Council, and this was once again verified by Mr Hennessey.  Mr Hassan was very apologetic to all present, acknowledged his previous mistakes, and affirmed his commitment as the manager to ensure continued compliance and improvement.   14)  The Reverend Sally Bally, of The Holy Trinity Church, Hounslow, who rents the pitch to the Applicant, admitted that she had given permission for the stall to extend into the tactile paving areas and expressed her apologies for the resulting encroachment. Reverend relied on her letter dated 7 October 2025, emphasising that the stall contributes significantly to the church’s community hub by making large monthly vegetable and fruit donations, which directly support asylum seekers, refugees, and homelessness relief programmes run by the Church.   DECISION:   15) The Act provides the Council a measure of discretion when deciding whether to issue a temporary street trading licence and the Council’s Street Trading Policy provides for all applications to consider various issues as set out therein, which include consideration of public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, the appearance and suitability of the stall/vehicle and environmental credentials. The Policy also requires applications to consider the needs of the area, this being the demand for the articles for sale and the geographical location of the proposed site.    16) In this case, the Site is located on the raised steps to the side of the Holy Trinity Church, Hounslow. The Panel notes the Applicant and manager’s remorsefulness and accepts the explanation of the ill health which contributed to the infringement of the licence.     17) Having considered all the written and oral representations by all parties, the Panel is of the view that the Applicant appears to be operating the market in a satisfactory manner, but there are some additional conditions that should be put in place to protect public safety and reduce the risk to pedestrians from any obstruction.   18) The Panel also acknowledged the continued generous charity donations of fresh fruit and vegetables by the stall to the local church and community, which was also highlighted in Mr Hennessey’s letter and at the hearing.   19) Having considered all the representations and all relevant material, the Panel has therefore decided to GRANT the application for a temporary street trading licence for the Site, to measure no more than 10 meters in depth and 4 meters in width as follows:   Monday to Saturday: 07:00 am – 19:00 pm   20)  The Panel is of the view that the Applicant appears to be operating the stall in a satisfactory manner, but there are some additional conditions that should be attached to prevent public nuisance and reduce the risk to pedestrians from any obstructions.   21)  Conditions attached by the licensing Sub-Committee   1.     There shall be no goods placed on top of the tactile paving, and sufficient space shall be provided on either side of the tactile paving.   2.     There shall be no goods placed on or near the stairs, allowing pedestrians to use the stairs in a safe manner.   3.     The Licence holder shall be at the pitch or contactable at all times when the pitch is being used for trade.   4.     The licence holder must always ensure that any queues or the serving of customers do not impact the surrounding pavements or any pedestrian crossing points in order to prevent obstruction and to maintain public safety.   5.     The licence holder must ensure the stall operates in a safe and orderly manner and shall not do anything which may cause a danger, nuisance or annoyance, damage or inconvenience to the public and Council.   22)  The Panel wishes to stress, as emphasised at the hearing, the need for continued compliance with the licence conditions imposed, as failure to do so could subject the licence holder to further review and the risk of revocation of the licence.   23) There is no right of appeal by any party in relation to the determination in respect of a temporary street trading application. The decision of the Sub-Committee is therefore final.      Licensing Sub-Committee