Campaign launched to reinstate Bristol street food trader ordered to stop by council

A campaign has been launched to reinstate a street food trader in Bristol who was ordered to stop by the council.

Almost 100 people have signed the petition calling for Juli's Catering to be reinstated on Toynbee Road in Knowle West.     

The pizza van was operated by Toynbee Road resident Ferenc Nánási outside his home for just two weekends in February before being told to cease trading by the council.          

Bristol City Council says Nánási was operating without consent - which he denies.

“I want to provide food for the community and create wealth for this area,” he told BristolWorld.      

“I wasn’t selling drugs, alcohol, guns, knives - it’s pizza, it’s food. 

“I couldn't imagine the support that came from the neighbourhood and how beneficial it was for the place and so positive.    

“This is my full-time job, my business. I try to provide for my family and make a living and this was my only income.”  

The 40-year-old originally applied for the street food trading licence in September last year.     

He received a confirmation email back which said he can ‘assume it’s approved’ if he had not had a decision by February 2.       

Having not heard anything, Nánási then started trading in the street on February 9.          

This was until he was contacted by the council’s neighbourhood enforcement team on February 22.     

He was told his application was not processed as he had not provided all of the required documentation.   

But Nánási says he was not told what was missing in the five months between applying for the licence and trading.       

He was also told that ​​Public Health and Licensing received complaints about his business ‘attracting large groups of youths to the area that were causing anti-social behaviour’ - which he says is untrue.   

Despite this, a petition has been started to reinstate Juli's Catering by Nánási’s neighbour, Ian Carter.  

In the petition, he writes: “Knowle West faces its fair share of challenges and tragedies. Amidst these struggles, Juli's Catering served as a comforting constant that brought smiles to our faces with every slice they served. 

“The loss of this establishment is not just about missing out on great food; it's about losing an integral part of what makes us feel connected as neighbours.

“We understand that there are regulations and protocols for businesses to operate within their respective areas. 

“However, we believe that the benefits Juli’s Catering brings to our community far outweigh any potential issues.”  

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “Anyone wanting to sell or offer for sale any item in a street must have a street trading licence or street trading consent. Our Street Trading Policy requires that the landowner also provides permission.

“Juli’s Catering was operating without a street trading consent. An application has now been submitted but we have advised that trading stops whilst the application is determined.”