Street trader refused licence over unhealthy eating fears near Hillhead school

Licensing chiefs turned down Mohamed Mostafa’s bid to sell food from three West End sites.

Objections to his application were submitted by Glasgow city councillors Ken Andrew and Eva Bolander and Hillhead Community Council.

He had hoped to operate on the west side of Regent Moray Street, near Old Dumbarton Road, the east side of North Woodside Road, close to Great Western Road, and the east side of Kelvin Way, near University Avenue.

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However, local councillor Ken Andrew voiced fears over the North Woodside Road site, claiming there was already a number of fast-food places in the area.

He said the stand would be too close to two secondary schools, the Glasgow Academy and Hillhead High School.

“I think it sends out the wrong message when we’re trying to improve the health and well being of young people,” Mr Andrew added.

The councillor previously raised concerns over an application to run a fast food stall near a West End primary school in March.

Sonia McCulloch’s bid to operate near to Hillhead Primary was also rejected by the licensing committee.

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“It is within a park and close to a children’s play area,” Mr Andrew said at the time. “I just don’t feel fast food stalls are really where we want to go.”

The Council’s Neighbourhoods and Sustainability team also recommended the North Woodside Road application should be turned down.

However, it did not object to Mr Mostafa’s other applications, stating he would require a business permit to operate in these areas.

Licensing chiefs heard, from council officers, that the applicant, who did not attend the licensing meeting, had failed to provide details of the vehicle he planned to trade from and a certificate of compliance.

They decided to also reject the Regent Moray Street and Kelvin Way applications. Mr Mostafa’s hearing had been rescheduled from May, when he also failed to attend.