For the Sub-Committee to consider the report and reach a decision.

Annabel Hannington, applicant, and her mother, Lucy Hannington, joined the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Annabel and Lucy Hannington. The Sub-Committee and officers introduced themselves.

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer provided a comprehensive summary of the report. 

The Sub-Committee were informed that matters for consideration included:

·       The application stated that trading would take place every weekday in the late afternoon in the lead-up to Christmas and other festivals, and for 2-3 hours per day on weekends during shop opening hours.

·       City centre locations were restricted by existing large events, such as the Oxford Christmas Market and Oxford Christmas event, which prevented trading on Broad Street between 12 November - 31 December. Trading on Bonn Square must also be authorised and booked as an event space.

·       The 14-year-old employee must be licensed by the County Council for child employment.

The Chair invited questions from the Sub-Committee to officers; there were none.

The Chair invited Annabel and Lucy Hannington to address the Sub-Committee.

Lucy noted that the family had a hobby of making jewellery and Annabel mentioned that they attended Pride Festivals, where they set up market stalls to sell their products. Lucy explained that the intention was to offer items that would appeal to local residents. She added that Annabel wanted to sell toy gifts suitable for children, sourced locally where possible. Lucy further noted that she was interested in applying for an annual license covering the holiday periods, as they wished to plan after-school and evening work. Regarding the tricycle, Lucy stated that they had a cargo bike which they intended to adapt with a table and shelves so that it could be easily disassembled.

The Chair invited questions from the Sub-Committee to Ms Hannington.

Councillor Ottino raised a concern regarding narrow pavements. Lucy responded that they would be careful not to obstruct pavements and would look for areas that were quiet and less narrow.

Councillor Muddiman asked the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer if the applicant was expected to be on the street or pavement. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer said that the applicant could either set up on the road or on the pavement unless restricted.

Councillor Ottino asked the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer if Radley Square had the same conditions as Bonn Square, or any extra restrictions. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that Radley Square did not have the same restrictions as Bonn square.

Councillor Taylor asked the applicants if they had any plan on how frequently they would be going to the areas. Lucy responded that around the festive period it would be more often to make the most of sales, but the rest of the year it would be 2-3 hours on each weekend.

Councillor Muddiman asked for clarification around employment. Lucy responded that it was Annabel’s business, and she was the registered sole trader with HMRC and that Lucy would only work with Annabel on a voluntary basis. Regarding Annabel’s 14-year-old sister, Lucy said would also work on a voluntary basis if permission was granted.

Councillor Ottino mentioned that there was a legal minimum wage age and an employee would legally need to be paid. Lucy responded that her intention was to facilitate Annabel, but Annabel would pay her sister in due course.

The Legal Adviser stated that the consent holder may employ any other person to assist and should provide the Council the name and address of that person. Anyone who operates the store other than the consent holder must be authorised by the Council.

The Legal Adviser advised the applicant that it would be easier to have two people on the license now so that the third person would not need to come back to the Sub-Committee.

The Chair asked if that would be acceptable, and the applicant agreed.

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer asked the applicant the process that would be used for a dynamic risk assessment. Annabel responded that she would leave enough space for one person to walk past the bike on the pavement or possibly two depending on the size of the pavement. Annabel said regarding the road, it would be preferable to set up somewhere with little to no traffic. She also added that she would make sure she was always visible to any traffic and cyclists, as well as not obstructing any pedestrian or vehicles.

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer said that there is a minimum of 1.2-2 metres space for people using wheelchairs to get past obstruction on the curb.

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer stated that as a lot of the trading would be in the hours of darkness, he minded the Sub-Committee to consider conditions surrounding lighting and ensuring the bike itself is well-lit.

The Legal Adviser asked the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer if the applicant was aware of the conditions around Bonn Square and Broad Street. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer outlined the list of the conditions, stating that it would be unlikely that the applicant would be able to trade in either places due to the high amount of events in the area during the festive period.

Councillor Ottino asked the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer if there was a way to restrict the license getting in the way of other events. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer responded that they could prevent the use of the license during events in the area.

The applicant agreed that they would be happy to have conditions added.

The Chair invited the applicant and the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer to summarise.

Lucy Hannington thanked the Sub-Committee.

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer stated that the applicant had agreed to remove the 14-year-old sister as an employee from the application.  The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer also asked the Sub-Committee to give special consideration to the visibility of the unit while trading, particularly at night, as this would help to mitigate risk. Avoiding clashes with existing events was highlighted as another important condition.

Annabel Hannington, Lucy Hannington, 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 deliberated in private.

The Chair welcomed Annabel Hannington, Lucy Hannington, the Business Regulation Compliance Officer, and the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer back to the meeting.

The Chair delivered the Sub-Committee’s decision.

The Sub-Committee resolved to:

-       Grant the application until 31 March 2026 with Standard Conditions according to type of Street Trading Consent and individual conditions.

The Chair informed Annabel Hannington that the application had been granted until 31 March 2026, with three individual conditions. Firstly, that the 14-year-old sister be removed as an employee; secondly, that the license holder must not trade at any location where events are taking place unless permission has been granted by the event organiser; and finally, that the tricycle and cart be well lit during hours of darkness.

Annabel Hannington and Lucy Hannington left the meeting.