Councillors to tour Ludlow ahead of street trading rules decision

Councillors will today tour street trading sites throughout Ludlow as they consider bringing in new rules to combat complaints about pavement stalls and ice cream vans in the town.

The move comes after Ludlow Town Council last night held a behind-closed-doors meeting about feedback received on plans for a new policy on street trading, which it took over the management of in April from Shropshire Council.

The issue is a hot topic in the town, with some shopkeepers complaining about losing business to street sellers, in particular ice cream vans.

But street traders have defended their right to sell in the town, with ice cream seller Lorna Kendall last night urging councillors to protect businesses such as hers.

Town clerk Veronica Calderbank said: "The problem is none of the five street trading pitches are working satisfactorily.

"When we have a policy it will pick up on all the complaints we have had, but the only thing members can consider is if the public is adequately served by street trading at the moment, not issues about shops' profits."

Patrick Sheridan, who sells toiletries on a stall in Tower Street, said: "I would have thought these pitches have been available for 200 or 300 years, so I don't understand why they are looking at it."

A new sub-committee is being launched at the town council to write a draft street trading policy, which will be considered at a meeting on September 5.