| Scotland’s largest car boot sale, which attracts up to 10,000 people, faces closure following complaints about the sale of counterfeit goods.
Operated by Mike McWilliam on behalf of Morris Leslie Limited, the market’s licence is up for renewal for the next three years.
Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing committee today received reports from the council’s Trading Standards Department and Tayside Police that counterfeit items were being blatantly offered for sale — and citing a lack of action by the operators.
Indeed, it was pointed out that offenders were continuing to trade despite police warnings.
Committee members unanimously agreed the operators should bring a plan to deal with the problem before the committee on May 31. The markets will continue to operate in the meantime.
Alan Lindsay, for Morris Leslie and Mr McWilliam, told today’s meeting that Errol was being targeted by traders who used to go to the Barrowland and Ingliston.
He said the firm was prepared to train staff to act as covert stewards.
Derek Hutchison, of Trading Standards, said they visited Errol 21 times last year, making 16 seizures totalling more than 2000 DVDs.
Chief Inspector Roddy Ross of Tayside Police commented, “What we’re looking for is a little more rigour.”
Mr McWilliam told members they had barred at least six traders from Errol, but added, “the problem is that the Mr Big does not take an active role on a Sunday”.
Councillor Willie Wilson asked Mr Hutchison if Trading Standards had problems with any of the other car boot sales in the area.
“The short answer is no,” he responded.
“Errol does have a particular problem. The other ones have been sorted out quite easily.”
Councillor Liz Grant asked Mr McWilliam if it would be possible to ban the sale of DVDs at the market, but he said this would be “pandering to the criminal element and penalising 90% of the people there”.
Committee convener Councillor Alan Grant said, “My own view is that we take a little time to make a decision. I’m thinking about further dialogue on how best to deal with the problem, then formulate a management plan.
“We would then come back and see if Tayside Police and Trading Standards are happy rather than us saying yes or no at this meeting.”
This proposal was unanimously adopted. |
