Ludlow street traders facing steep hike in licence fees

Street traders and ice cream van owners in Ludlow were today warned they face a steep hike in fees as part of a review into their licences.

Ludlow Town Council, which took over the management of street trading in April, said it found the current £14 daily fee did not cover its admin costs.

The move comes as councillors are carrying out a controversial review into the issue, after receiving complaints from shop owners about street traders hitting their profits.

Town clerk Veronica Calderbank vowed not to use the new licences as a "cash cow" but said the council was legally required to break even.

She said: "We have to bring in realistic costs to cover the administration of the scheme.

"Street stalls, and even 19-ft-long vans, are currently paying less than they were in 2005, when South Shropshire District Council ran the licences. It was £19 a day back then and I expect it will be more, but not much more, than that when the new rules come in."

The town council has formed a new sub-committee to help form a new policy on street stalls and vans, but some on-street traders have called on them to leave the issue alone.

Patrick Sheridan, who runs a toiletries stall in Tower Street, says the council was messing with trading pitches which had been used for hundreds of years.