Conservatives welcome plans for a crackdown on illegal street traders in Bournemouth's town centre.

'We have been pressing for some positive action by the Council for over two years', said town centre Councillor David Smith. 'I hope this results in a complete and permanent clearout of these tacky and illegal traders', he added.

The Conservatives have been warning that if action was not taken against illegal street peddlers, the area around Bournemouth Square would be swamped very quickly. Direct action has not been a priority for Bournemouth's Lib Dem Council and all the warnings up until now have been ignored. Not surprisingly, the predictions have come true and at last the Council has promised some action. Cllr Smith continued, 'These people are not street peddlers given the time they spend trading in the Square. They must be prevented from working in the town centre and removed'.

Cllr Smith continued, 'It seems incredible that having spent a fortune on creating Bournemouth's award winning Square, the Council have allowed it to become no more than a cheap and tacky market.'

These illegal traders do nothing for the economy of the town - in fact they work against everything that hard-pressed shopkeepers are trying to do to survive. Worse still, they undermine the quality tourism which the resort is striving to attract.

Cllr Smith added, 'The Council have been turning a blind eye to these activities for far too long and I welcome an early and thorough crackdown. I shall continue to monitor the situation closely and I expect the Council to honour its commitment on a regular and permanent basis.'

For further details please contact:-

Cllr John Beesley
Bournemouth Conservatives
on Bournemouth Council

Tel. 01202 762403
Mobile 07860 391219
email john.beesley@bournemouth.gov.uk