traders views

Traders know their views

Traders Accounts of what happened to them

Shropshire:- pilot introduced April 2010, threatening letters were hand delivered to traders demanding removal of some a-boards. Process by some were seen as confusing and misleading.

Licensee Bryn Masterman of The Old Castle in Bridgnorth , A Punch leased venue, had his A-board taken away 29 June 2010. At least 25% of trade dropped as a result and he is losing around £100 a day in food sales, with drinks losses on top. "We rely an awful lot on that A-board" said Masterman. "It does affect us. We've lost 20 covers or more every day and it's enough for us to think about cutting staff hours".

"Without my A-board I would be out of business" That is the stark message from a Bridgnorth trader Russell Blackwell, who runs Bridgnorth Books. He put his board on the High Street 150 metres from his, shop two months ago. He said he had noticed a huge difference in trade. "Without that A-board I would be dead, I just wouldn't be able to trade"

Shropshire Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith says "we do not want to jeopardise our own insurance so that private businesses can profit by advertising on pavements and pathways that are owned by the Council."

Pontefract:- Wakefield Council decided to ban A-boards placed on pavements outside shops across the Five Towns. The council is threatening to seize boards, and charge owners a £50 fee.

John Wain, co-owner of the Malt Shovel pub, on Cornmarket says he faces making up to seven staff members redundant because of loss of takings. "Since we took the board down, we have gone from an average of 100-125 meal servings on a Saturday to 44, and it's the same for weekdays. I'm losing money. If I don't have the A-board, I have nothing"

Elizabeth Pizzey, opened a sunbed shop Top 2 Toe, on Gillygate "Everyone is up in arms about it. They are just putting smaller businesses out of business."

Councillor Graham Isherwood, cabinet member for environment said "Removing obstructive boards will help safe guard the appearance of our town and city centres and improve the shopping environment for everyone".

Hull:- The City Countil has given shops in the city two weeks to remove their signs from pavements - or face a fine of up to £2,500.

Charles Smith who co owns a fish and chip shop is struggling with the recession and in a bid to save the chippy from flagging sales bought an A-board 2 months ago. "We are bringing in £2000 less a week than we were 2 years ago" "The council is allowed to block entire streets with markets but I cannot have one sign up. It is terrible"

Shopkeepers have criticised the move, saying it is an attack on struggling businesses.

The crackdown on illegal A-boards follows an approach from the council's disability equality focus group.

One wheelchair-user has said people texting on mobile phones, not looking where they are walking, is a bigger problem than A-boards.

Wilton:- Salisbury District Council sent out letters telling businesses they must stop putting portable signs by the roadside or face fines and possible prosecution.

Lavinia Broom who owns Lavinia's Hair and Beautry, in South Street, said "We're trying to keep Wilton alive and this will just kill it - it's absolutely ridiculous" She added the council should be trying to encourage businesses in Wilton rather than hindering them.

Yeovil:- If unauthorised signs are not moved they are informing traders that they can give out fixed penalty notices. The council has yet to issue any penalties, although at one point they say there were more than 100 signs illegally displayed.

May James, proprietor of Amaze Hair and Beaty Salon, said " I was shocked to receive a threatening letter. We have been provided with no evidence of health and safty risks and when I phoned the council to ask how many accidents there had been they didn't even know what an A-board was" "I found the people who came to deliver the letter quite intimidating. They had the cheek to say that local traders were displaying anti-social behaviour" "Without the board I don't have any walk-in custom".

Chris Gate, business manager at Schoolwear and More, said he and others were prepared to challenge the council's stance. "We have proof the A-boards improve footfall".

Yeovil's town centre manager was planning alternative measures to help traders raise awareness of their business.why not just let them have an a-board, simples!!

Instead of treating business owners like criminals Councils need to be mindful of the huge contribution businesses make to local and national economies. Rather than useless committess which just give lip service to  economic strategy and who cave in to uninformed minority lobby groups Councils should get real and support local business in what is to be a long recession.