To consider the street trading application and reach a decision.

The Sub-Committee and officers re-introduced themselves to Ben Sorgiovanni, the applicant, and Paul Humpherson, friend and supporter of the applicant.  

The applicant confirmed that he was content to proceed with only two Sub-Committee members present.  

The Director of Planning and Regulation had submitted a report to inform the determination of Mr. Sorgiovanni’s (The Trading Post) street trading application. 

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer presented the report to the Sub-Committee, outlining that the report sought street trading consent for The Trading Post to sell coffee from a static location in Hinksey Park. The Sub-Committee were informed that trading would take place from a 3-wheeled van with a coffee machine attached on the rear. Appendix 1 outlines the business operations and the benefits of this, and the location is outlined in appendix 2.  

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer informed the Sub-Committee that the application had completed the required consultation process, and no adverse representations were received. An objection was however later received, outside of the consultation period and after the publication of the report, from another business which holds permission to trade in Hinksey Park. The Sub-Committee heard that Lucy Hedges of ‘The Wide-Awake Club’ coffee bicycle expressed that the application seeks to trade in the same location. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer noted that this objection was made on the basis of competition only, and no other concerns were raised. Finally, the Sub-Committee were also informed that the Head of the Green at Oxford City Council had been consulted and noted support the application on the basis that users of the park have made previous requests for a café facility. The response is enclosed within appendix 3 on page 55.  

It was recommended to the Sub-Committee that an amendment could be made to extend the renewal date to 31 March 2026 to avoid renewal proceedings in under two months on the initial expiry of the permission on 31 March 2025. 

The Sub-Committee were informed of their options when determining the outcome of the application: 

• To grant Street Trading Consent as applied for 

• To grant Street Trading Consent with additional conditions 

• To refuse Street Trading Consent 

The Chair sought to confirm that currently, there is no existing provision for the sale of coffee or beverages in Hinksey park from Sunday to Friday. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer confirmed this.  

The Chair invited the applicant to make any representations to the Sub-Committee.  

Mr. Sorgiovanni explained that although he is applying for a 7-day license, he does not intend to trade on Saturdays to avoid cross over with the other business. He would however appreciate the possibility to trade on Saturdays should no other business be present on occasion as he wishes to ensure Hinksey Park is reliably served and to support their business. Mr. Sorgiovanni informed the Sub-Committee that he would be content if an amendment was imposed which limited his ability to trade at the same time as other businesses on Saturdays.  

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer proposed the wording of such an amendment for the benefit of the Sub-Committee.   

The Chair noted the impression that the businesses desire to work collaboratively and not in competition. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer was asked whether enforcement of an amendment limiting trading on Saturdays would be possible to which it was explained that an officer would be required to attend and take appropriate action if necessary. It was noted that this would be difficult, but the amendment would be at the discretion of the Sub-Committee.  

Mr. Sorgiovanni clarified to the Sub-Committee that his business would not trade on a Saturday unless informed that the other business would not be present, reiterating that it was not his intention to overlap or conflict.  

The Legal Adviser sought to clarify that the application for The Trading Post was for a static position on a grassed area only to which Mr. Sorgiovanni confirmed this, and the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer noted that the Wide Wake Club is also not present in the park all day as the business moves around.  

Mr. Humpherson informed the Sub-Committee of his familiarity with Lucy Hedges and noted that a collaborative relationship already exists as both small businesses are run by a few members of staff who wish to support the community who frequent Hinksey Park. The Sub-Committee heard of a desire to ensure a reliable presence of coffee provision balanced between both businesses.  

Councillor Yeatman sought to clarify the location of the Wide-Awake Coffee Club in the park to which it was understood that there is no fixed position as the business is mobile. In comparison, The Trading Post would be located in a fixed position between the splash park and bicycle path.  

Councillor Yeatman expressed no concern about conflict between the two businesses and supported their intentions to collaborate. As such, he commented that restrictions on the Street Trading Consent would not be required in his view as it is believed there would be enough customers in Hinksey Park to support both businesses.  

Mr. Humpherson confirmed that neither trader would want to overlap and reiterated intentions to collaborate to ensure business is shared between the two.  

The Legal Adviser reminded the Sub-Committee that a condition does not have to be made on the Street Trading Consent; it can be granted as applied for and for both traders to collaborate and avoid unnecessary competition and assurances had been given that a collaborative relationship already existed and further regulation could be avoided.  

Mr. Sorgiovanni, Mr. Humpherson, the Business Regulation Compliance Officer, and the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer left the meeting to allow the Sub-Committee to reach their decision. 

The Sub-Committee discussed the following points in relation to the application: 

• That they were supportive of the provision to sell coffee in Hinksey Park and believed that there would be sufficient customers.  

• That both businesses could function alongside each other cooperatively and that there would be no need for restrictions on the Street Trading Consent. 

Mr. Sorgiovanni, Mr. Humpherson, the Business Regulation Compliance Officer, and the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer rejoined the meeting to hear the Sub-Committee’s decision. 

The General Purposes Licensing Casework Sub-Committee resolved to: 

• Grant Mr. Sorgiovanni’s (The Trading Post) application for a Street Trading Consent until 31 March 2026.   

Mr. Sorgiovanni thanked the Sub-Committee.  

Mr. Sorgiovanni and Mr. Humpherson left the meeting.