A Chiswick food stall, Healthy Bite Chiswick Ltd, has had its temporary street trading licence renewed despite concerns raised about food safety and hygiene. The Hounslow Licensing Panel considered the application on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, following a representation from Councillor Joanna Biddolph.
The application was to allow Healthy Bite Chiswick Ltd to continue operating a stall adjacent to 253 Chiswick High Road, selling items such as falafel wraps, chicken wraps, halloumi wraps, rice with vegetables, salads, soups, fresh juices and soft drinks. The stall has been operating at the same location since December 2019.
Councillor Biddolph raised concerns about the storage of gas cylinders and the condition of a sink at the stall, describing it as a filthy sink which doesn't provide confidence in hand washing facilities,
according to the Healthy Bite - Appendix D. These issues were investigated by the Food Safety Team and the Health and Safety Team. The representation from Councillor Biddolph also led to a food safety inspection and a rating of 3 ('broadly compliant'). It also resulted in the owner completing a new food registration form and adhering to all contraventions and recommendations made by the Food Safety Officer. Councillor Biddolph also requested a fuller report from the food safety team, monthly visits to the stall for the next five months, and reports of those visits, and that the food safety score should be displayed on the stall.
The email from Nicola Harbor on April 16, 2025, states that on their last inspection of the stall some contraventions were noted.
The applicant agreed to a condition being added to their licence regarding gas cylinder storage:
All propane cylinders will be stored in a suitable, locked & secure, and well-ventilated compound.
Following an inspection by a Food Safety Officer, the stall received a rating of 3 (broadly compliant). Councillor Biddolph requested a fuller report from the food safety team, monthly visits to the stall for the next five months, and reports of those visits. She also suggested that the food safety score should be displayed on the stall.
Nizar Dhanji, Regulatory Manager (Food Safety), stated that a new food registration form was completed by the owner, and that all contraventions and recommendations were adhered to. Mr Dhanji stated that Officer Aine O'Brien was satisfied with the outcome of her revisit and no further action was required.
A food hygiene rating of 3 is described as 'broadly compliant'. Nizar Dhanji's email in Healthy Bite - Appendix C outlines the criteria checked during a full food hygiene inspection, which would influence the rating. These include the Food Safety Management System, food hygiene practices, staff training, temperature control, cleanliness, and compliance with food safety law.
Standard conditions will be attached to every Street Trading Licence and these may be varied by the Council at any time. The council may revoke the license at any time and shall not be liable to pay any compensation to the holder in respect of such revocation.
The Hounslow Street Trading Policy outlines the factors that the council will take into account when considering applications for street trading licences, including public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, and the appearance and suitability of the stall or vehicle.