Unlicensed Ice Cream Traders Operating
Public Protection Partnership Press Release – 15th June 2020
The PPP Licensing Teams are receiving a number of complaints with regards to ice cream vans operating in West Berkshire, Wokingham and Bracknell without a street trading consent. This is particularly worrying as we cannot be sure they are operating with the relevant food hygiene standards in place.
We have been made aware of three vans who are operating in this way. They are ‘announcing’ last minute their locations on Facebook groups such as ‘We Love Wokingham’ and ‘We Love Bracknell’ rather than the more traditional method of ice cream vans ‘touring’ around residential areas.
We are asking members of the public to keep an eye out for vendors without a consent. Where a consent has been granted this should be clearly displayed on the vehicle and visible to customers. You can also check an operator’s food hygiene ratings on the Food Standards Agency website. Please check before you purchase so you can be assured you are buying from a registered trader who is adhering to food hygiene standards.
Cllr Hilary Cole (West Berkshire), Chair of the Joint Public Protection Committee says:
“Following the Covid-19 shutdown we want to encourage local businesses but we ask that the public check Ice Cream vans have the proper consent to trade, and are displaying their street trading consent and food hygiene rating. This is to ensure that the ice cream you and your children are consuming, is being prepared and stored safely and strict hygiene standards are being met.”
Traders granted a consent are routinely checked for food hygiene standards and adherence of their Street Trading Consent.
PPP have requested all the unlicensed traders to cease trading in our areas until they have applied for street trading consents. Unfortunately they have failed to comply with this request.
You can contact your local authority to check if a trader has a valid Street Trading Consent below:
•Bracknell Forest: licence.all@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
•West Berkshire Council: licensing@westberks.gov.uk
•Wokingham Borough Council: licensing@wokingham.gov.uk
