New byelaws for casual trading planned
New casual trading bylaws will be introduced in Riverside Park in Ballina and other towns and scenic spots on the Tipperary side of Lough Derg.
Published: Mon 30 Jan 2023, 17:30
People selling drinks and food from mobile units in some of the most scenic areas of the Nenagh Municipal District will in future need a permit under new casual trading bylaws being introduced in the area.
Others selling arts and crafts and farmers/food markets will now also fall under the new permit system, which will be introduced in the riverside villages of Garrykennedy, Dromineer, Terryglass, the Riverside Park in Ballina, along with The Lookout at Portroe , Newport and the nearby Clare Glens.
Outlining the plans to councilors at the January meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District, the district’s administrator, Rosemary Joyce, said the local authority had drawn up draft bye-laws regulating trading of goods in public places in the outlined locations.
The proposals, which would now be put out for public consultation, included plans for an annual fee of €300 for a casual trading license for a single sales team and €600 for two sales stalls.
Ms Joyce said the county authority was in new territory to progress its plan. But it will monitor how things develop and see what the use of the new licensing scheme is likely to be.
In formulating its plans, the council anticipated that there would be possible intervention from people who wanted to sell handicrafts and locally grown food. Among the provisions is a stipulation that ice cream vans can trade in any location for a maximum of 20 minutes before they have to move on.
Ms Joyce said that provision was also made in terms of the proposed by-laws for the presentation of events such as farmers’ and Christmas markets.
Under the plans, one nominated individual representing all the stallholders in a market can apply to license the entire market.
Proof of insurance cover will need to be provided as part of any application.
Councilors gave the go-ahead to the district authority to display the proposals to the public for a month.
Submissions on the plans will be invited from members of the public before the draft bylaws come back for authorization for adoption by the elected members.
Cllr Joe Hannigan said that this was an important piece of legislation being proposed. He welcomes the fact that all potential traders and stall holders are given an opportunity to make an input in the process. Ms Joyce said it was hoped to bring the bylaws back to the elected members for their April meeting for proposed adoption. However, the process can be moved even further if the public submission process has led to the need to make substantial changes to the proposals that are now on the table.
Published: Mon 30 Jan 2023, 17:30
