Outcry over fish trader’s application
A TRADER’S plans to sell fresh fish from a roadside van in Batley have caused controversy.
Yasin Patel, of Blackburn, has applied to Kirklees Council to sell produce from a chiller van at Oxford Street, Mount Pleasant.
But his application has received much opposition from councillors, police and Kirklees Highways.
Coun Hanif Mayet (Labour, Batley East) said: “There are at least two shops on the street that sell meat and fish.
“Do we really need someone from the outside taking the business and affect the local trade?”
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “A trading operation such as this is a hazard to road users, pedestrians and can cause problems for local residents.
“Existing businesses are paying rent and rates, and are struggling.
“Due to the fact this could cause problems for other persons using the highway, we at West Yorkshire Police object to this application.”
Kirklees Highways also expressed concerns over potential road blockages.
A spokesman said: “This is a narrow street which is often busy and well parked up on both sides.
“The presence of a van selling goods at the roadside would further congest the area and would not be in the best interest of road safety.”
Mr Patel is hopeful of trading every Wednesday and Saturday and claims it would be his only source of income.
A report by the council said he had carried out trading prior to submitting his application.
He was reported to Kirklees Licensing by Kirklees Environment Food Safety team, which had received complaints from neighbouring businesses.
Despite the objections, Naim Mukhter of Zaika Halal Meat was unconcerned about the potential competition.
He said: “It doesn’t really bother us as we have a good customer base so we wouldn’t be troubled by it.
“We would be happy for him to proceed.”
Mr Patel’s application is to be decided on Monday by the Regulatory Panel at Huddersfield Town Hall.
He declined to comment.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Batley
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
