Westminster Council Proposes 90% Market Fee Hike

Market traders in Westminster could face substantial increases in their fees, with weekend pitch charges potentially rising by up to 90%. Westminster City Council has put forward proposals that would see daily charges for hot food and takeaway vendors in areas like Berwick Street and Strutton Ground increase from the current £22 to between £39 and £44. The cost of a permanent trading licence could also jump from its current rate to £964.

These proposed changes are intended to address a significant budget deficit within the council's street trading operations. The council reported a shortfall of approximately £2.4 million in its street trading budget. The proposed fee adjustments are scheduled to come into effect in January, pending approval.

Impact on Traders and Licence Costs

The new fee structure would vary based on the day of the week, the specific location, and the type of goods sold. Non-food traders would face the lowest charges, followed by fresh food vendors, and then hot food and takeaway sellers. For new licences, the cost could rise to £964, a significant increase from the current £96 for non-food items, although discounts for new businesses and Westminster residents currently apply.

One market trader expressed concern to a licensing committee, stating that the proposed increases were excessive given the current economic climate. She acknowledged the need for fee adjustments but felt the proposed amounts were too high for traders to manage alongside rising costs for their own produce.

Westminster City Council stated that the majority of traders already possess permanent licences, meaning they would not be directly affected by the proposed increase in application fees for new licences. The council also indicated that a 5% discount for direct debit payments would continue, alongside potential fee waivers and reductions.

Council's Financial Position

The council's financial challenges extend beyond street trading, with an estimated overall budget gap of £160 million by 2029, attributed to changes in government funding, rising operational costs, and inflation. As part of wider cost-cutting measures, the council recently announced plans for over 500 staff redundancies. Councillor San Abishev noted that even with the proposed fee increases, the street trading operation is projected to continue running at a deficit of around £1.6 million annually, which will still be funded by the council and taxpayers.

A public consultation on the proposed fee changes concluded at the end of September. The council is currently analysing the responses received before making a final decision on the implementation of the new fees.