List of traders which own their forecourt
and who has current licences in Sydenham
(Supplied with comments by Scott Hamilton)

The license regulations state, “If a shop in the borough wishes to display goods or chairs and tables on the public footway, the owner or manager must apply for a licence. The application fee is £30 and the licence fee is £5 per sq m per week. There are a number of conditions attached to the licence including the maximum size of display allowed. Displays must not exceed 1.05m (3ft 6in), subject to 2.1m (7ft) clear pedestrian footway being maintained. This is subject to a change on a Transport for London road. If a shop owns and maintains the forecourt, they are not required to have a licence.”

Further information can be found at www.lewisham.gov.uk/Business/LicensesAndTrading/StreetTradingLicenses/

Businesses which own their forecourt:

Also businesses that have basements which extend under the pavement also own that section of the pavement and can display their goods without a licence.

Businesses with forecourt Licences:

With traders that have a licence, the council has an obligation to ensure pedestrian traffic can flow smoothly on non-store or non-licensed property.While not clearly stated, it reasons that if this requires the removal of “street furniture”, then so be it.

Council Current Stance: Environmental Enforcement team takes action against businesses displaying wares without licenses and also businesses that display outside their zone. They have successfully, with support from the Sydenham Safer Neighborhood Team, taken action against traders on Sydenham Road this year. In regard to moving street clutter, this would be the responsibility of the Lewisham Council Transport department, depending on the implications towards the TFL bid.

Further Action / Comments made to the Council (by Scott): Based on the regulation the question arises as to the Councils responsibility towards a “2.1m (7ft) clear pedestrian footway being maintained.” Is the 2.1m measured from the outside edge of the curb-stone or from the inside of the closest restricting piece of street furniture? If the measurement is from the curbstone but there is intermediate “street Furniture” which restricts pedestrian traffic, then the council is not maintaining a clear pedestrian footway. Alternatively, if from the inside or the closest restricting piece of furniture to the limit of the rented or owned forecourt is less than 2.1m will the council then remove the forecourt licence or increase the size of the pavement to provide the detailed 2.1m?

Traders do have the right to display wares on their forecourts, but maybe regulations or guidance can be put in place to ensure “quality” displays.

Council Current Stance:The rules and regulations for displaying wares outside the shop are: “There is no limit to what they can display outside as long as it is being sold and on display inside. There are no restrictions as to the quantity of goods as long as they fit into the area that they have rented without causing an obstruction.”

Further Action / Comments made to the Council (by Scott): Recommendation was made for the TCM, in conjunction with Business Advisory Services, to approach traders and convey the benefits of shop appearance and how to entice/attract more customers.

Any violations can be reported by calling 020 8314 7171

Sydencam