The future of street traders at historic Liverpool park is up for debate

The future of pop-up street traders around a historic Liverpool park is up for debate.

Since 2006, perimeter roads around Sefton Park have been designated as consent streets that allow trading within a 10 metre radius. Only those with consent issued by Liverpool Council are currently able to sell their wares around Mossley Hill Drive, Croxteth Drive and Aigburth Drive.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 there has been an increased demand from traders for pitches on these perimeter roads predominantly serving food and refreshments to visitors to Sefton Park and the surrounding area. As an increase in applications is expected, the local authority is now reviewing its policy on the traders and assessing the “appropriateness or otherwise of issuing of any further consents for the perimeter roads.”

As a result, until then, Liverpool Council’s street trading committee is considering accepting or issuing no further consent applications for street trading with immediate effect. A report to the council said: “This approach should prevent an influx of new applications being received whilst the review is ongoing.”

Currently, there are six mobile and static traders operating around the surrounding areas of the park, selling a variety of foods including brownies, cheeses, tea and coffee, and ice cream. Two of those businesses have been in situ for 15 years, operating almost daily.

In its analysis, the council said it would consider the status of Sefton Park as a grade one historic park, environmental impact of street trading, impact on parking provision and highway safety concerns before issuing any new consents. It said: “These are all ‘stress’ factors which are frequently raised whenever applications for new street trading consents in the perimeter roads are consulted upon.”

The proposed restriction on accepting any further applications for consents in the streets referred to will result in a modest, but manageable, reduction in licensing income for Liverpool Council. Should the street trading committee move forward with the recommendations, a report would set out policy options following an immediate review of the area by the city manager.

The proposals will be considered at Liverpool Town Hall next Wednesday at 10am.