home > association > members info > unlicenced retailers

 

We occasionally receive complaints from our members that they are having to unfairly compete with businesses selling live fish, often from domestic premises, that do not apply for, or receive Pet Shop Licences as required by the Pet Animal Act (1951).

Such "back-garden" and "garage retailer" businesses are not inspected to ensure the welfare of the livestock, nor do they pay business rates, taxes, and may flout planning laws. Possibly most important of all, the public dealing with them, presuming them to be private individuals, are denied the protection of the Sale of Goods Act where fish sold must be of "satisfactory quality" and "fit for the purpose".

In one instance in Lancashire, a member of the public placed 160 adverts offering for sale a wide range fish species and dry goods which might do justice to a small retailer. Of course, many of the adverts were identical, but 60 unique adverts were identified.

If members write to us with the addresses of such outlets, we actively pursue the matter with the relevant District Councils, Environmental Health Officers and Trading Standards Departments of County Councils in the UK. To help us do this, details of the evidence that they are trading commercially, such as a series of adverts in local papers or flyers will enable us to demonstrate to the authorities that they are a commercial operation requiring a licence.