What Can You Do About Persistent Street Sellers?

 

Town Centre Shopping

Over recent years there has been a noticeable growth in the number of individuals who ‘tout’ for trade in town centre areas.

This can include a wide variety of goods and services, the more common ones being, market researchers, catalogue sellers, accident claim companies and magazine sellers.

Does This Cause A Problem?

The majority of salespeople do not cause a problem, and offer their goods or services in a manner which doesn’t cause obstruction or annoyance to the public.

However, a small minority can be problematic.

Traders who cause harassment or annoyance to the public, and/or try to obstruct the public on footpaths etc are in breach of a council bye-law.

What Is A Bye-Law?

A bye-law is a regulation made by a local authority/corporation or the like, having legal effect only in the area governed by that authority.

Tameside’s Bye-Law On Touting

Tameside’s bye-law states that:

No person shall in any street or public place:

• Advertise or solicit custom for any service, or
• Seek to gather information for use in the supply of goods or services

In such a manner as to cause obstruction or give reasonable grounds for annoyance to any person in that street or public place.

What can you do if you have been annoyed or obstructed by someone touting?

Please complete the online complaints form.