Council proposes new rules to curb illegal trading in city centre

National World - LocalTV

A new Public Space Protection Order could be introduced in Birmingham city centre to restrict illegal trading, aggressive collecting and other disruptive behaviour. The council says it’s about protecting shoppers and supporting legitimate businesses.

Transcript

00:00Birmingham City Council is looking to tighten control over street activity in the city centre,

00:07responding to concerns over safety, disruption and intimidation. A Public Spice Protection

00:13Order, or PSPO, has been proposed to limit a range of behaviours considered antisocial.

00:19If approved, it would apply to streets like New Street, Victoria Square, Temple Street

00:24and part of Edgbaston Street. The council says people are being approached too often,

00:29sometimes aggressively, by those selling goods, collecting donations or handing out

00:33promotional material. Under the proposed rules, anyone looking to trade, peddle or hand out

00:39samples for commercial gain in these zones would need written permission from the council.

00:44This includes digital or cash donations for subscriptions or services. Charities, religious

00:50groups and political campaigners would still be allowed to operate, but only if they're

00:54not obstructing others or causing disruption. Reports submitted to the council include incidents

01:00where officers have faced verbal abuse and threats from individuals linked to illegal

01:05street traders. One female officer reportedly had to seek police support after being threatened

01:11while trying to identify a trader operating without a licence. The Retail Business Improvement

01:17District says it's heard repeated complaints about people selling perfume from bags and

01:22pressuring passers-by. Officials say the current situation not only puts off visitors

01:27but also harms legitimate businesses and creates a hostile atmosphere in key shopping centres.

01:33The proposed order would last for three years. A public consultation is now underway and

01:38runs until the end of April.

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