Pedlars Certificates – a proposed change in the law

Liberal Democrat business minister, Jo Swinson, is looking to scrap The 1871 Pedlars Act, which  requires travelling salesmen to have a permanent home address, be checked out by the police to make sure they are of “good character” and to hold a Pedlars Certificate. She reckons that this old law is too restrictive and doesn’t comply with a European Union directive on freedom to trade. Instead she’ll introduce new laws for street trading and travelling salesmen, but the Pedlars Certificate will go.

The government hopes that this move will encourage more trade at a time when it’s very much needed. It’s also understood that we’ll be treated to more pedlars from other EU states operating along our British streets, knocking from door to door, no doubt selling us exotic goodies smelling of garlic and paprika.  How wonderful.

This plan does have its critics and, according to the Telegraph Newspaper story about this by Tim Ross, Councillor Mehboob Khan, from the Local Government Association, said: "It risks jeopardising the progress councils have made in tackling the rising tide of bogus cold callers who prey on the elderly and vulnerable. Allowing a street trade free-for-all is likely to drive customers away from the high street and create an unlevel playing field where legitimately run shops and market stalls find themselves struggling to compete."It would also make it harder for councils to tackle dishonest traders who rip-off the public.”

I must admit that I am concerned about a resulting rise in cold calling by the more unscrupulous trader and the additional hassle people might suffer when out and about in their town centres, so I intend to contribute my views to government during the consultation period, which last until 15^th February 2013.  If you would like to contribute to the consultation please visit this link at Department for Business, Skills and Innovation.  Or you can let me have your views via Contact us and I’ll include them with mine.  Do please let other people know about this possible change in the law and if you are involved in a Neighbourhood Watch please include this information on your website or in the next Newsletter.

I’m all for boosting trade, but the 1871 Pedlars Act was introduced for a reason.  We therefore need to think very carefully about a change in this law so that vulnerable people don’t suffer as a consequence.