New casual trading bye-laws on the cards

Members of the public will soon be able to inspect a new set of casual trading by-laws which have been drafted by Offaly County Council after they were approved by members at their November meeting this week.

It is proposed that the municipal districts of Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr will make one set of bye-laws to cover the three administrative areas within the county. Kilcormac is also to be covered by the new draft bye-laws.

Under the revised proposals, the cost for an annual casual trading licence will be €200 for a bay size of no more than 12 metres square, which is equivalent to one car parking space. Multiple bays can also be purchased subject to availability.

The council is proposing an event trading licence of €50 per bay, and casual trading hours will be from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Sunday inclusive.

All applicants for a casual trading licence must include evidence of public liability insurance, a tax reference number from the Revenue Commissioners and two forms of photo ID, e.g. passport-driving licence and proof of address, e.g. utility bill.

Among the permitted goods which can be sold under the terms of a casual trading licence are locally or regionally produced food products that are “grown, produced, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the home producer and are of good quality.”

Also permitted are regionally produced arts and craft goods, manufactured by the licenced holder and “of exceptional quality”.

The draft bye-laws will go on public display at four locations throughout the county for a four week period during which they can be inspected free of charge by members of the public.

Cllr John Leahy said he was “very supportive” of the new draft bye-laws and added that it was “only right” that they should go out to public consultation so that everyone in the county could see what is being proposed. Referring to the weekly farmers market in Kilcormac every Saturday he said it was “a great addition” to the town and was almost a throwback “to olden times”.

Cllr Leahy proposed that the draft bye-laws go out to public consultation and it was seconded by Cllr Noel Cribbin.