Councillors Ask About Ice Cream Vendor Locations

Illegal ice cream vendors have been “just rocking up” with complaints from residents prompting a councillor to ask what was being done to regulate them.

Green councillor Kerry Pickett, who represents Preston Park ward, raised the issue at Brighton and Hove City Council’s Licensing Committee on Thursday (24 July).

Councillor Pickett said: 

“It would seem that they (ice cream vendors) are flouting licensing laws with regard to where they can trade, particularly on the seafront area, in parks, etc. 

"Why is this happening?

“It is upsetting residents and putting their lives at risk, particularly children’s, in relation to driving in prohibited areas where people are not expecting vehicles to be driving.

“They are also doing this at speed. When confronted, they have been abusive and aggressive.

“What regulations do we as a council have in place to enforce vendors to adhere to licensing rules with regard to where they trade and what can be done to ensure vendors understand the rules and why they need to keep to them?”

People have complained to her that they see no action being taken after contacting the council as the vans sit on the seafront with engines idling.

Labour councillor David McGregor, who chairs the Licensing Committee, said that a number of residents had sent him similar complaints.

Councillor McGregor said that there were ice cream vendors operating illegally “just rocking up” and trading on the seafront.

He read out the council’s policy for mobile vendors such as ice cream vans. 

They are only permitted to trade outside the centre of Brighton and Hove, which includes the seafront and Madeira Drive, in the interests of public safety.

He said: 

“Despite these clear rules, we have received a number of reports of trading in prohibited areas, driving at unsafe speeds in pedestrian zones and in some cases responding with aggression when challenged.

“It’s not acceptable and poses a serious risk.

“Essentially, they don’t have a licence. It’s hard for us to take that licence off them because they’re not supposed to be doing this.

“This sits with the seafront team, the community and police, especially when it comes to the anti-social behaviour.”

The council does not have the power to issue on-the-spot fines but if a vendor is registered, their licence can be removed.

The council’s seafront office can issue penalty notices and if a licensed vendor is caught out of area, they risk losing their trading permit.

Limited police resources makes the issue difficult to enforce but he urged people to report aggressive driving to the police.

Councillor McGregor added: 

“Under-resourced teams at the council and police mean it’s not been properly controlled.”

Registered ice cream vendors were written to at the start of the season reminding them of their permit terms.

Many of the illegal street traders came from outside Brighton and Hove, the meeting was told, and faced a £250 fine if they were caught out.

The council could prosecute but, the committee was told, it was a “costly venture” for a low return.