Blitz on Wolverhampton's burger sellers
Burger vans and hotdog stalls could be forced out under a drive to make Wolverhampton's main shopping area more upmarket, it emerged today.
Burger vans and hotdog stalls could be forced out under a drive to make Wolverhampton's main shopping area more upmarket, it emerged today.
Sellers who want to trade in Dudley Street face being told to fork out for smarter-looking trailers, while the cost of licences would soar by 160 per cent.
The proposals, which also include capping the number of vendors operating at any one time, are part of a bid to improve the appearance of the city centre and create a European-style cafe culture.
Council bosses said today some businesses in Dudley Street were unhappy with the number of hot food vans, believing they were putting off shoppers.
Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition against the proposals, which will come into force in next year if approved by Wolverhampton City Council.
Deputy council leader Peter Bilson today said the move was not about making money, but raising the standards of the city centre.
He added: "You don't want hotdog vans everywhere but there is a demand for hot food facilities and we have no objection to that – it's about managing it.
"It's about getting the balance right and creating an attractive area.
"It will generate an amount of income, but this is not about money. It's about trying to ensure the management of a city centre we all want to see."