Sloane Square trader is granted a licence

Mr O'Brien has been left in limbo since council officials from Kensington and Chelsea Council told him that his pitch right outside Sloane Square tube station was illegal.

He has been on the site for almost 30 years selling newspapers to thousands of loyal customers and passers-by and paying steep rates to Transport for London.

Then last year after a visit the council asked him to move on the basis of a 1990 by-law which bans him from trading on the council owned forecourt.

To make matters worse Mr O'Brien is now competing with a council installed newspaper and confectionary kiosk built two years ago just yards from his stall.

His high profile appeal was backed by thousands of customers, more than 30 members of the House of Lords and even England football manager Fabio Capello - who all pass by his stall to buy their papers.

On Tuesday night councillors made a U-turn and granted a temporary licence whilst they review whether they can make the pitch a permenant one for Mr O'Brien.

After an exhausting few months the 50-year-old dad of two, who relies on the stall as his only means of income, said he is over the moon.

"I must say after everything the council are now being very very fair - they listened to me and gave me the result I needed," he said.

"I was really impressed with how much they cared and really wanted me to keep the stall.
"There was good feeling there and in the end common sense prevailed."

The decision was made by councillors sitting on the Regulation and Enforcement Review Committee in a closed confidential session.

Afterwards committee chairman Doreen Weatherhead said: "There has been long-standing uncertainty about the legal status of this trading site which is set against Sloane Square tube station.

"But recent highway works meant the situation had to be clarified once and for all.
"Legal enquiries indicated that this site should be subject to just the same licensing regime that exists for the rest of the square and the council has been seeking to regularise the position.

"To do otherwise would be unfair to those who are licensed and might also send out the wrong signal to unlicensed traders who lack Mr O'Brien's obvious commitment to his customers."

She added: "We think it makes sense to consider the long term options before finalising arrangements."

Loyal residents and customers stood by Mr O'Brien by signed petitions and going to protests.

Justin Downes, speaking on behalf of the West London Residents' Association said: "For two decades Mr O'Brien has traded with a London Underground licence - providing a great service to residents without disturbance.

"Suddenly in the midst of one of the worst recessions in over 50 years a Conservative council decides to put him out of business and his family on the breadline.

"Lets hope that the temporary licence will be permanent for Mr O'Brien - I hope that he has won the battle and at long last the council has seen sense."

Mr O'Brien will have to return to the committee in six months for a new licence.