A Barking supermarket has been ordered to pay costs totalling £1,112 after being caught out on two separate occasions, selling a trolley full of watermelons on the highway directly outside the shop by council enforcement officers.

Falcon Supermarket of 32 London Road, operating as Express Food & Wine was caught street trading without a license, outside their shop in Barking.

On further investigation, officers discovered that the business did not hold a valid Street Trading Licence for the sale or display of goods.

As a result, the business was found guilty of two offences of Illegal Street Trading contrary to section 38(1)(b) of the London Local Authorities Act 1990 and served with two Fixed Penalty Notices, which they failed to pay and were subsequently summoned to court.

On Friday 31 January 2020 at Barkingside Magistrates Court, the business was ordered to pay a fine of £300, £782 costs to Barking and Dagenham Council and a £30 Victims Surcharge.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We are a business-friendly borough and we welcome and encourage businesses to set up, operate and thrive in our community but we are clear that everyone must play by the rules.

“If you trade without the relevant licence you will be breaking the law and we will fine and prosecute if necessary.”