A proposed fruit and vegetable stall on Hounslow High Street is facing potential refusal following a recommendation from Hounslow Highways, citing concerns about existing traders and potential disruptions. The Licensing Panel met on Monday 28 July 2025 to discuss the application from Y.M.F.G GROUP LTD for a temporary street trading licence for 'Everyday Fruits & Veggies'.
The application sought to place a stall between Halifax and Next, operating daily from 09:00 to 19:00 for six months. The initial plan was adjusted from 9 metres in depth to 8 metres due to a utility box, as shown in Appendix B - Amended Plan.
However, Hounslow Highways has recommended the application be refused. Satbir Gill, Network Manager at Hounslow Highways, stated:
As I understand it, this application is for a stall to be located in the middle of Hounslow High Street between Next and Halifax. There are already sufficient fruit and vegetable sellers in the High Street which are causing us a lot of problems. It's recommended that the application is refused.
In communications included in the Public reports pack, Mohamed Yusuf from Y.M.F.G GROUP LTD sought clarification on the issues caused by existing traders:
I completely understand your concerns about the existing number of fruit and vegetable traders and the problems currently being faced. I would be grateful if you could kindly clarify what specific issues are being caused by the current setups this would allow us to understand the situation better and ensure we operate in a way that avoids contributing to the same challenges.
Lorraine Srivastav, Network Steward at Hounslow Highways, responded with a list of concerns, including traders exceeding their licensed area, storage and waste issues, cleansing problems, and a lack of health and safety awareness. Srivastav also stated that There are more than the sufficient number of fruit and vegetable businesses on Hounslow High Street. These stalls are causing the High Street to look like a market and not a High Street!
Mohamed Yusuf addressed these concerns in Appendix D - Comms between Applicant and Highways, outlining proposed measures such as a commercial waste collection contract, daily cleaning, and a commitment to meeting council requirements.
The Licensing Panel was presented with several options: grant the application in full or in part, refuse it, or grant it with additional conditions. The report pack noted that there is no right of appeal against the Panel's decision.