Seven Kings pavement blocker successfully prosecuted by Redbridge Council
Published: 8 May 2025
A Seven Kings store that repeatedly obstructed the pavement with large appliances, making it hard for local people to use the street, has been successfully prosecuted by Redbridge Council.
Quality Appliances London Ltd, based in Green Lane, was handed a £1,773 court imposed fine and costs after ignoring warnings to stop lining the pavement in front of the store with large, and often broken, appliances.
The business was flagged to Redbridge Council following multiple complaints from the community concerned about having to dodge the hazard on a regular basis.
Following multiple visits to the site to investigate, Redbridge Enforcement Officers discovered up to a dozen large appliances on each visit, including washing machines and dryers. These were spread across the pavement covering 20 metres across the store’s front. Many of the appliances were in a state of disrepair, with internal parts exposed and some even with panels missing.
The store’s actions blocked and restricted the pathway for local people, especially effecting wheelchair users and parents with prams, and made it harder for those with visual impairments to navigate the street - creating a potentially dangerous environment.
Despite being previously issued with fixed penalty notices for similar offences and being given further warnings not to leave the appliances on the pavement, the business persisted - leading to court prosecution instigated by the council.
Quality Appliances London Ltd was subsequently summonsed to court charged with five Highways Act offences.
After failing to attend Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 15 April 2025, the case against it was heard and proved in its absence, landing the business with fines as well as court and council costs totalling £1,773.
Redbridge Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, said: “We all have a responsibility to keep our borough safe, and this includes businesses. The majority of Redbridge businesses operate in harmony with the local communities they serve. Those who choose to act otherwise and behave badly, or are a nuisance to their neighbourhood, will not be tolerated in our borough - and this prosecution should serve as a reminder of that.”
If you spot an issue on Redbridge roads or pavements, including obstructions, you can report it for action, easily and quickly, through Redbridge Council’s ‘Report It’ page: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/report-it/report-streets-and-highways/
