Threat to station trader

11:19am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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Commuters could soon be without their morning papers and magazines if a popular vendor is forced to move or close down.

Shamik Rao sells newspapers, magazines, confectionary and drinks in Albert Road, Witham, outside the train station.

Mr Rao works from about 4.30am until 12.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and after about 15 years he could be forced to close following a problems with his pitch and trading licence.

Mr Rao forgot to renew his licence in 2006 and last year, in January, he received a renewed licence but at the end of the month he received a letter informing him that the licence had been issued in error and that an objection had been made by Essex County Council Highways.

The objection was due to the location being a bus stop with no waiting/parking for any other vehicles.

A Traffic Regulation Order had been in existence for at least four years but had not come to light previously as Highways were only consulted on new or lapsed applications, not renewals.

Maria Bennett, who works in Crusaders mini cabs which is over the road from Witham train station, said: "So many people stop there.

"A lot of our customers go over there and he has been there years.

"There used to be a vendor down on the platform but when that closed the one outside the station opened and it's been there years.

"He seems like a nice bloke, he helps us out if we need change and a lot of people would be upset if he had to go."

Mr Rao was given one month's notice, on June 26, to cease trading but he remains defiant and has so far gained more than 2,000 signatures supporting that he stays.

For the full story see the Witham and Braintree Times next week.