Belfast hugely relaxes street trading laws in Fleadh traffic ban zone - even though public consultation on pedestrianisation isn't over yet
Belfast is massively relaxing street trading laws for the all-Ireland Fleadh this summer, politicians approving the idea to go alongside a city centre traffic ban – even though a public consultation on that ban has more than a fortnight left to run.
In a move passed on Wednesday night, Royal Avenue, Bridge Street and High Street will be given over to outdoor traders, though the council wants to strictly limit fast food stalls, as they intend to drive people to food markets running as part of the fleadh.
On Monday, the council unveiled a consultation that’s meant to give the public their say on whether or not traffic should be barred from the city centre from August 2 to 9.
Documents presented to a council committee on Wednesday appeared to treat the outcome of that consultation as a fait accompli, stating: “Within the road closure pedestrianised area, a number of streets have been identified as suitable for temporary street trading.”
The consultation seeking the public’s views on creating a traffic-free zone ends on April 6. The decision to relax street trading laws within that zone is due to be rubber-stamped by the council on April 1.
In a report, officials reveal they’re still looking for more sites that can host street trading stalls and “further work is required to finalise” how many will be created in total.
Alcohol sales aren’t included in the liberalisation of on-street stalls; according to officials, drink will tackled through a different process.
Officials state they want to see “arts and crafts goods and artisan products, as well as high quality souvenirs and food and soft drink offerings” on streets throughout the heart of Belfast.
Strict limits will be placed on stalls selling hot and cold food and drinks; reports single out “hot fast food such as burgers” as particularly unwelcome, though ice cream stalls can still be allowed.
Officials say that’s to support the fleadh’s food markets, as well as “St George’s Market, existing city centre food retailers and the hospitality sector in general, and to reduce the potential for litter”.
States a report: “In allocating individual sites, where possible temporary street traders will be positioned remote from those shops and hospitality businesses selling similar offerings – for example, we will not locate a trader selling jewellery outside a jeweller’s shop.”
Some existing street traders who are regularly on site within the “road closure pedestrianised area” will be forced to move, the council report states, while others will be contacted to discuss their situation and how they can reach their spot once the traffic ban comes in.
The council wants to see “a spread of offerings” across the city centre. As a result, although traders can ask for a specific street when applying for a licence to run a stall, final decisions are to be made by officials who will allocate spots.
The committee also saw politicians defer a decision on a major hike of fees for ice cream vans to operate in Belfast year-round, putting it back for further consideration.
On Monday evening, the council launched a three-week public consultation on barring traffic from much of the city centre for the eight days of the fleadh. It describes the pedestrianised zone as “proposed road closures” currently in their “statutory consultation period”.