PC Dawson has been [url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10643342.Wider_ban_on_street_traders_around_Bradford_City_ground/in the news again[/url, this time she's on the case of street vendors at Valley Parade, who from yesterday are now banned within the area between Midland Road, Hamm Strasse, Queens Road and Manningham Lane.
The reasons she wanted this were:
Quote She said local takeaways had seen business drop as a result, and the congestion caused by traders’ vans compromised the safety of spectators.'"
Now, I don't attend City games, but must confess I have never heard of an example of a speccy being injured due to this "compromising of safety". I do work nearby, and have seen the guy selling scarves and hats on Manningham Lane, and the food van that sets up near Harrisons Electrical. I didn't see either of them as presenting any safety problem whatsoever. People wanting a burger seemed to just form a short queue, and there's plenty of room for it.
However, I may be missing something, so maybe some of you who are regular attenders can tell me whether you have reason to believe safety has been compromised?
The other point - "local takeaways have seen business drop" - is that the business of the police licensing officer? Also, what evidence is there of this? Have the police gathered evidence? And if so, for what reason? I find it hard to believe. There are a number of fast food outlets along Manningham Lane and I will take some persuading that when City are playing, their business "DROPS". They are look packed out to me. Some - eg a sandwich shop - open specially for City games. How is that a "drop"?
If I had a takeaway on a popular approach to VP, and saw my business "drop" on matchdays, I would feel duty bound to shoot myself as a disgrace to business.
