Bath Road traders blast council over A-boards

A PUBLICAN in Bath Road has hit out at Cheltenham Borough Council's A-board policy.

Mike Huysinga (pictured), landlord of the Exmouth Arms, said a council crackdown on illegal use of the advertising boards was too heavy-handed.

He said: "The council says two of its officers will be prowling the streets taking names and numbers.

"It then says it will continue its operations until 'a final and managed solution' has been achieved.

"This is just a few businesses trying to advertise during a recession, not anything more than that.

"It seems the council has more money than sense."

The authority launched a clampdown on illegally-positioned A-boards last month.

It says two community enforcement officers will patrol Cheltenham making a note of offenders, working eight-hour days "until the situation is rectified".

It warns that any A-boards positioned illegally may be removed and destroyed.

Areas targeted include Bath Road, High Street and The Strand.

Offending businesses will be served with notice to remove the boards within 31 days or face confiscation.

Any safety risks identified in relation to the boards could see a PC or PCSO visit the premises.

Robin Jenkins, whose butcher's shop has been at 160 Bath Road for 20 years, said: "A-boards have been a part of the Bath Road street scene for a long time.

"They certainly help to bring in the punters, who get to see what special offers are on, and whatever products traders are promoting.

"But every few years the council seems to have a little purge, insisting that people get rid of them. It happens periodically and then the fuss tends to die down again."

Prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate Mark Coote has been running a Save Our Shops campaign in Cheltenham focusing on supporting stretches of business like those found on Bath Road.

He said:"I sympathise with the traders in Bath Road who, like everyone else, are trying to do all they can to boost business in a difficult economic climate.

"You need to know where you stand on these things, and in the past Cheltenham Borough Council may have turned a blind eye towards the use of A-boards.

"The fact that it is now clamping down on them is not a bad thing. There are good reasons why we shouldn't have obstacles clogging up the town's pavements, and perhaps traders could look more at hanging signs.

"But the rules must be absolutely clear, and we must have some consistency in their enforcement."

Coun Paul Dunne, Cabinet member for housing and safety, said: "Our officers are enforcing a policy to remove illegal A-boards in Cheltenham and this policy has been agreed by all council members.

"There are over 300 illegal A-boards in the town, all of which have health and safety implications for the general public. All A-boards on the street need to be licensed so they comply with the Highways Act, and we are happy to assist businesses with any help they need in getting a licence."

The council's licensing team can be contacted on 01242 775004.