To consider the street trading application for Iffley Road and reach a decision.

The Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety had submitted a report to inform the determination of an application for Street Trading consent.

Mr Omar Taha (applicant), Ms Malala, Solo Manager and representative, and Matthew Stead, Senior Licensing Officer joined the meeting.

The Chair asked everyone to introduce themselves and briefly explained the hearing process to be followed.

The Senior Licensing Officer presented the report.  He stated that Mr Taha would be operating under the business name ‘Solo’ and would be managed by Ms Malala.  The application proposed non-standard trading hours of 0730 to 1730 on Monday to Friday and 1000 to 1600 on Saturday.  He advised that the street trading unit would be placed within the grounds of the Mad Hatter pub on Iffley Road.  He further advised that, whilst there was an agreement in place between Mr Taha and the landowners, street trading consent was required for the business to trade onto the highway.

The Senior Licensing Officer advised the Sub-Committee that it was required to determine the application based on the contents of the full report which had been included in the agenda pack circulated prior to the meeting.

Ms Malala addressed the Sub-Committee.  She stated their intention to offer a variety of authentic Syrian dishes such as hummus and baba ghanoush with the use of healthy ingredients.  She also stated that the unit would be situated inside private land using electricity for its operations.

Ms Malala mentioned that this would be their first attempt at street trading wherein she and Mr Taha would bring their combined experiences in the food sector for the proposed application.  In response to questions, she explained her awareness of Sugar Smart adding that Syrian food was generally known to be healthy as it used simple ingredients, further stating that Solo would be using a local supplier for its ingredients and offer sugar-free drinks and vegetarian options where possible.

In response to queries regarding food hygiene, the Senior Compliance Officer confirmed that should consent be granted, Solo, as a registered business, would be subject to safety inspection.  Any issues in relation would be dealt with by the Environmental Health Officer by use of advisory.

Mr Taha, Ms Malala and the Senior Licensing Officer left the meeting while the Sub-Committee deliberated in private.

Having considered all submissions, the Sub-Committee noted the applicant’s representation, awareness of the City’s Sugar Smart and healthy eating campaign, attention to hygiene and efforts to use local suppliers.  The Sub-Committee found no compelling reason to deviate from the standard trading hours set out in the Council’sStreet Trading Policy and, therefore, approved Mr Taha’s application for Street Trading Consent based on standard trading hours for a pavement location of 0800 to 2100 for all days of the week, and on the condition that the business obtained a public liability insurance.

The Senior Licensing Officer and Mr Taha re-joined the meeting and were informed of the Sub-Committee's decision.

The Sub-Committee resolved to:

·       Grant Mr Omar Taha's application for Street Trading Consent in accordance with the General Conditions for Street Trading Consents and the Street Trading Policy, taking into account the details set out in the report and representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

Following the decision, the Sub-Committee requested that an environmental health visit be arranged to ensure disposal bins were not affecting Solo’s food trading and that food hygiene standards were maintained.