Casual trading in Cork towns to be examined

CORK’S county manager is considering tightening bylaws to regulate casual trading in urban areas amid complaints that rate-paying businesses are suffering.

Martin Riordan said he would prepare a report for councillors after Cllr Gerry Kelly complained that casual traders were setting up “wherever they liked”.

He claimed the Casual Trading Act of 2004 created a problem as it had abolished the need for traders to have a licence to sell perishable goods, such as fruit and vegetables, on the roadside between May and September.

The Fine Gael councillor noted, in more recent times, some traders who had traditionally sold their goods on the side of country roads had moved into towns and were now in direct competition with businesses.

“It’s a problem from Castlemartyr to Castletownbere. There are people coming along with cars and trailers and setting up in sight of shops which are paying rates and employees.”

Cllr Pat Burton (FG), also a Fine Gael member of the county council, backed the proposal. “I know it’s a complex issue, but it’s not right that someone can pull up and compete side by side with somebody who is paying rates and wages.”

In response, Mr Riordan said there was “a balancing act” to be achieved because of the rise in farmers markets which he didn’t appear to want to curtail.

He promised to seek legal advice and report back to the councillors.