People power has won out after there was hell up in Perranporth last week.

Residents and businesses in the town accused Perranzabuloe Parish Council of being “pathetic” when a new street trading policy came to light which would see popular hair braiders, henna tattooists and face painters banned from the seafront this summer.

A social media furore began when the council erected signs stating ‘No Trading Private Land’ on the walkway leading to the beach.

People commented that services for children, like hair wrapping, had been taking place on the spot for 25 years and were aghast it was being stopped.

Councillors agreed at a meeting of Perranzabuloe’s finance and operations committee last night (Monday, March 3) that people providing such services can continue visiting the area leading to the beach, with a number of conditions attached. However, actual street traders would still be banned.

A woman, who does hair wrapping with her daughter in Perranporth, was present at the meeting representing hair braiders, face painters and henna tattooists who visit the area leading to the beach during the busy holiday period from June to September.

The seasonal worker, who did not want to be named, told the committee that she posted about the street trader ban on social media sites because she wanted the local community to know about the changes.

“We hair wrap children, we hair wrap surfers, we henna tattoo elderly people.

“There was nothing really, apart from the parish council’s notice, that made the majority of the community aware that they wouldn’t have these services in the summer of 2025. I went public to let them know.”

She requested that the council grants up to three licences, with payment if necessary, to a certain amount of people providing the seafront services such as temporary tattoos, hair wrapping and braiding, and face painting. She stressed that everyone carrying out the work has enhanced DBS security checks and public liability insurance.

Cllr Rob Cooke, who is not on the finance committee, spoke as a member of the public: “The reason given for a ban on street traders on our land was due to health and safety because of obstruction of the footpath to and from the beach.

“I’m not aware of there being any issues or incidents. I believe that they do offer a service to the community and to our visitors which is valuable.”

Perranporth resident Rory Jenkins added: “The sentiment I get [from comments online] is a lot of people are saying this is part of the experience and they would like some traders to be there. My two seven-year-old kids think it’s epic to go down and get a temporary tattoo, and it’s part of that summer experience.”

Finance committee chairman Ben Byfield told the meeting that although trading bylaws were in existence, the council didn’t really have a street trading policy until the end of last year.

“The policy states that the council doesn’t want to see street trading anywhere on its land.

He said there were two concerns which led to the policy coming into force – worries that beach-side businesses could set a precedent where “anyone could pitch up” without rates, rents or insurances, and obstruction fears at the location leading to the beach which gets particularly busy during the summer.

Another reason for the policy adoption was a street trader selling hats and T-shirts bearing obscene slogans during the resort’s popular Tunes In The Dunes festival last year.

He said it was clear that the service operators  wanted the activities to continue and it was the council’s job to come to a conclusion which satisfied both parties.

Cllr Peter Gaisford said: “We’ve learnt that hair braiding and henna tattooing is exempt from street trader licensing because they’re providing a service.

“We do have to look at this policy with a view to allowing for permissions.”

He added that providing a licence would remove the insurance liability from the council.

Cllr Steve Arthur proposed that the council allows up to three licensed pitches with the location decided at a later date. “People enjoy these services,” he added.

Cllr Alan Bowers highlighted that the biggest health and safety aspect was where the hair braiders currently base themselves near an access gate which allows emergency vehicles to get to the beach.

He stressed it was important that the access was maintained.

Cllr Frances White agreed: “I’ve always been very worried about this trading because it’s blocking those entrances to our beach for bicycles, disabled people, prams, etc. I have found that more irritating than anything.”

Following discussion, the committee agreed some points to take to full council on March 24 for ratification. They agreed that actual street trading would still be banned but beach services would continue to be allowed.

The consensus was that up to three licences per year would be allowed, which must be applied for each year in advance, and any operators must be based within zoned areas.

The licences would be granted before April 1 for a period from June to the middle of September. Any applicant must hold public liability insurance, have an enhanced DBS check and be risk assessed.