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BERR publishes research report on street trading and pedlary

The Department for Business today published an independent research report on street trading and certified pedlary in Great Britain.

While the report, conducted by Durham University, found no evidence that pedlars pose a problem on a national scale, it suggested that current laws regulating street trading and pedlary could potentially be improved by:

* National guidance on the meaning and application of the current arrangements, which contain ambiguities and vary across Great Britain;

* Modernsing the Pedlars Act, e.g. updating and standardising the pedlars' certificate to enable easier identification of genuine certificates; and

* A more flexible enforcement regime, including less burdensome options to criminal prosecution (e.g. fixed penalty notices).

Welcoming the report, Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said:

I commissioned this research in order to gain a fuller understanding of the current situation and whether there is a case for change.

My Department will now begin work towards a full public consultation on national guidance and options for possible legislative change to ensure we're striking the right balance between the interests of business, consumers and pedlars.

The report, 'Street Trading and Pedlary in Great Britain: a report of research into the application and perception of local authority controls and pedlar legislation', is available at: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/business/market-trading/page46738.html