Barge Bookshop banned

THE narrowboat Barge Bookshop that was featured in narrowboatworld last week is having problems trading in Bristol.

Lack of a trading licence and Health & Safety concerns are the reasons that Bristol City Council will not let owner Sarah Henshaw trade, and thus sell books at the harbour in the city.

Not carte blanch

The British Waterways trading licence held by Sarah, it seems does not give carte blanch even though she trades from the waterways.

She was not given a trading licence in Bristol, with its council spokesman remarking that it 'would not be in Bristol's interests', though she has not had any problems trading elsewhere.

In a statement, the council stated:

"There is no public right of access at this site as it is restricted to owners of boats and their crew only.  Moreover, in certain circumstances the issue of liability could arise if a member of the public visiting the pontoon were to be injured."

It is believed there were complaints from other traders who had to pay business rates to the council, whilst Helen was paying none.