Leeds City Council is currently consulting on plans to restrict cycling and limit the operation of pedlars in Briggate
A QR code survey around street peddling and cycling which has appeared in the city centre(Image: Submitted)
Street pedlars in Leeds have raised concerns about the future after the council announced a consultation on restrictions.
Across Leeds city centre, there are a number of street pedlars, each selling different things. Now, some of these pedlars have raised concerns around QR code surveys appearing in the Briggate area.
These surveys, set up by Leeds City Council, ask questions on changes to pedestrianised hours, restrictions on bike riding, and street trading. In January, a meeting has also been called between the council and a number of pedlars. Leeds City Council has announced it is considering some restrictions on street peddling, with many of the pedlars now fearing for the future.
One street seller, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “This is the only way, the only means of earning my income, through this business. This is the only business I run, I don’t have any other business, I’ve got nothing else to do.
“So this is the only means of supporting my family, to earn money, to support and look after my five children. Everything is expensive and life is getting too difficult for every individual across the UK and we have to do something, we can’t sit down at home and relax and watch TV all the time. We are family people, we’ve got children.”
The council defines street pedlars as non-static, or mobile traders who are not licensed by the council. Due to the nature of street peddling, some of the sellers only make a small amount on some days, such as £30 or £40 after a full day’s work.
They fear restrictions on peddling in busy shopping areas like Briggate could cost them even more. The pedlar said: “We want to ask the council to support us, to look after us, to let us carry on with our business. No one has ever got any problem with us, never.”
In fact, the pedlar said many people come to them, especially when they only have a short lunch break, for food and quick purchases.
“They say ‘you are very convenient for us, and so efficient, your existence in the city centre is just part of the beauty of the city centre because when we have a break time, 30 minutes, we come out and we would like to enjoy some desert, some crêpes, some sweet corn. This is the only way we can do, we cannot go sit down and spend much time in takeaways or in restaurants during our break time’.”
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The council is currently consulting on the Briggate Action Plan which contains a range of proposed measures designed at improving visitors’ experience of Briggate and the surrounding streets. It follows a survey carried out last year, where a number of issues were highlighted including the high number of cyclists and pedlars currently operating in key pedestrianised areas.
“In response, the council is proposing to restrict cycling and to limit the operation of street pedlars on Briggate and some other spaces. Many pedlars currently gather in the same areas at the same times, particularly during major events, causing access issues on key routes along with some associated anti-social behaviour and the sale of counterfeit goods.
“Any change would not represent an outright ban on pedlars in Leeds, they would still be able to trade in the city centre outside of any restricted areas as well as apply to trade in council-managed pitches and in flexible trading opportunities within markets. All responses given in the consultation will be considered as part of the next steps.”
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