Burger-free city centre for Swansea - have your say

THE people of Swansea have just over a week left to give their views on plans to improve street trading in the city centre.

A second round of consultation is underway on Swansea Council's street trading policy.

The council says the policy will help provide more effective control over the way products are sold on the street in the city.

The latest draft of the policy is the result of consultation with city centre businesses and the revised draft is up for comment until Friday, August 21.

If the plan is approved, the sale of goods such as flowers, arts and crafts, jewellery, confectionery and paintings will be actively encouraged while fast food such as burgers and hot dogs will be prohibited.

Several fixed pitches in and around the city centre will be officially designated and attractive barrows will be introduced along with tighter controls.

Lisa Wells, City Centre Manager, said: "The most successful towns and cities across the UK have established on-street trading. When street trading is properly managed it can add vitality, zest and colour to a city centre and enhance its reputation as an exciting place to visit and shop.

"The continental markets and the pre-Christmas markets that are set up in Swansea demonstrate there's a clear demand for on-street trading and the feedback we get shows visitors will come to enjoy and purchase the goods on offer.

"But it is important that shoppers can be confident that the goods sold to them meet all the necessary quality and trading standards and don't undermine the city centre shopping experience.

"The first consultation provided us with more guidance on what city centre businesses and the existing street traders themselves wanted out of the policy. We welcome further comments as part of the latest consultation to ensure that we get this balance just right."

Any comments on the policy should be returned to the Street Trading Enforcement Officer in the Trading Standards Division of Swansea Council by Friday August 21.

Copies are available at www.swansea.gov.uk or by calling 01792 635602 for a hard copy of the document.