Car seller falls foul of street trading crackdown

Sep 25 2008 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

AN irate householder told he could not advertise his car for sale by putting a sign on it while it was parked on the road outside his town centre home is the victim of a council crackdown on kerbside selling.

The man who does not want to be named was upset when he received a call from Conwy County Council saying he should remove the sign on the vehicle parked in Lloyd Street, Llandudno, or face prosecution.

His boss Neil Coulson, who owns a business in Llandudno Junction, was incensed at what he felt was the council’s heavy-handed attitude.

“He’s just a lad trying to sell his car. It’s obvious he’s not a trader as it’s the only vehicle parked there with a for sale sign. Surely the council should be able to differentiate between private individuals and traders,” he complained.

But a county council spokesman said the council is receiving more and more complaints from residents who think their streets look like makeshift car lots.

“Many Conwy residents do not perhaps realise that street trading laws apply throughout the county borough area,” she said.

“This means that in certain areas there is a total prohibition and in other areas the council’s consent is required to offer any article for sale in the street. This includes selling private vehicles.”

The council’s licensing department has embarked on a campaign to crack down on cars being offered for sale on the highway and anyone found selling a vehicle without the appropriate consent could face a fine of up to £1,000 and find their vehicle being seized.

“We are concerned that many cars are being left for sale in dangerous positions such as on corners or bends and at junctions on busy main roads. It distracts other road users and buying a new car from the roadside is not something that we would recommend,” said Phil Rafferty, head of regulatory services.

For more information or to report a vehicle for sale contact the licensing team on 01492 576626 or by e-mail to licensing.unit@conwy.gov.uk