Shopkeepers fined for blocking footpath

4:38pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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Three Hounslow shopkeepers are almost £5,000 out of pocket after being prosecuted for selling goods outside their shops.

Syed Ahmed, Subramaniyam Kalaivanan and Ragmohan Singh Chug all pleaded guilty to selling goods outside their premises without a licence.

The men were ordered to pay fines totalling £2,750 and costs of £2,145 following three separate hearings at Brentford Magistrates Court on May 9.

Councillor Barbara Reid, lead member for environment and planning at the council, said: "Prosecutions are always a last resort, but we have a responsibility for making sure our pavements and roads are safe for people to use.

"Council officers visited the premises on several occasions and issued warnings that the street trading should stop, but these were repeatedly ignored.

"Pavements are public property, not for private trading, and we are determined to crack down on this illegal practice."

Businesses need a licence to display goods outside their premises, which are issued by the council.

Licenses are only granted when there enough room to maintain public access along the footpath.

Mr Chug, trading as Fair Deal of London of Bath Road, Hounslow, pleaded guilty to four charges and was fined £250 for each offence, ordered to pay costs of £655, and a surcharge of £15.

He was ordered to remove the obstruction within seven days.

Mr Ahmed, trading as Aidroos Foods of Bath Road, Hounslow, pleaded guilty to four charges, was fined £250 for each charge and ordered to pay £730 costs and a £15 surcharge. He was also ordered to remove the obstruction within seven days.

Mr Kalaivanan, trading as Best Food Supermarket of Bath Road, Hounslow, pleaded guilty to three charges.

He was fined £250 for each charge and ordered to pay £760 costs and a £15 surcharge.