Traders facing new rules over advertising boards
The city council has set out a list of rules for businesses and shops about where they can place their A-boards.
It aims to keep the city's pavements clear and has been welcomed by disability groups.
However, the rules have angered some small business owners who did not feel they were necessary.
The 10 new rules, which were expected to be discussed at today's meeting of Leicester City Council's cabinet, include only having one A-board per business, having it directly outside the business, and leaving at least 1.5 metres of pavement clear.
Shops will be banned from tying boards to lampposts, putting them in central reservations or putting boards too close to the kerb edge.
Cimi Kazazi, who owns La Vida restaurant in Northampton Square, said: "We need the board outside to attract people and it does bring them in.
"I don't mind the rules, but I just don't think there is a problem."
Anne Fox, who owns Shake It Baby in Market Place, said: "I've already been told I can't have a board outside my old shop and that we need to move the one here and I'm sick of the council.
"Shops are shutting everywhere and they're doing nothing for small businesses except making life harder."
Gareth Hazard, general manager of the Rainbow and Dove pub in Charles Street, said he had received letters from the council in the past.
He said: "We've been told we can't have two outside while in Granby Street there are businesses with A-boards twice the size.
"At least if they give us guidelines it will be fairer."
However, Jenny Pearce, chief executive blind Vista, a charity for the blind, said: "For years, Vista and people with sight loss have campaigned for advertising A-boards to be regulated.
"They are a nuisance to people with sight loss, especially long cane users, as they're usually situated directly on pedestrian routes. This decision is fantastic news and Vista is grateful to the city for listening and responding to the needs of people with sight loss."
People in the city centre had mixed views.
Andy Bullough, 54, from Syston, said: "The pavements are wide enough and businesses should be allowed to advertise."
However, Sherrie Wright, 22, from Kirby Frith, Leicester, 21, said: "When I'm in the city centre with a push chair it can be a problem. They need to keep them out of the way."
The new rules follow a report to the city council by the Leicester and District Trade Union Congress.
Deputy city mayor Rory Palmer said new rules were necessary.
He said: "If left unchecked, the growing use of advertising boards will mean more potentially hazardous obstructions on the city's highways.
"We know from feedback that disabled people are particularly at risk of accident caused by the unpredictable placing of A-boards on pavements."
The new rules will be discussed by cabinet today and are set to be agreed next month.
11 Comments
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by Just_Saying
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 3:26PM
“Opinion8ed - why go on about 4 wheel drive vehicles - isn't it the SIZE of the vehicle that matters rather than the number of driven wheels?
As far as I know, (except in certain places) it is illegal to park with wheels on the pedestrian footpath. PLEASE simply ticket them (eg. on Queens Road, which is a nightmare to walk down)”
by Opinion8ed
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 7:36PM
“Hang on a minute. If we are worried about blind folk walking into A Boards then why don't we tackle selfish idiots that park on pavements, particularly large 4 wheel drive vehicles whose owners OFTEN (not always) think they own the road.”
by chocsaway3
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:25PM
“its all the loo rolls that seem to be sold in packs of 100 rolls a time.........problems?? that block up the pavement and all the mouldy fruit, oh now i see why the mega loo roll packs!”
by Jessikita
Monday, February 06 2012, 6:36PM
“Eddie51, if you check the land registry, you will see a lot of the shops you refer to, the goods are not "on the street". They are actually on private land. It is where the houses had front gardens and have taken them out. The paving etc, appears very similar to the footpath so people assume. But there is nothing LCC can do.”
by Jessikita
Monday, February 06 2012, 6:34PM
“MrPLeics, type in City Wardens into the search bar of the Mercury and you will see quuite a few reported cases that the City Wardens do. And that is only probably 2%. The stories that actually make it to the Mercury.”
by MrPLeics
Monday, February 06 2012, 1:09PM
“Biting the hand that feeds you again LCC?
Perhaps a friendly word with offenders from the City wardens (who cost us circa £600k pa... What do they actually do?) Would go down better than the usual threatening letter from the council.”
by michaelkw
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:25PM
“Once again this awful city council has shown itself to be inconsistent, meddling and anti-small business unless you happen to be a shopkeeper on Belgrave/Melton/Green Lane roads.”
by Eddie51
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:20PM
“Thank for agreeing Rodders65.
No way will Sir Peter and his merrymen do anything about it It's not a vote winner.
Also not any chances of getting your picture in the paper with this one.
The fact that it affects people and costs the council money in lost rent and rates does not really matter to the council or its members. Its all about power and perks that count and there are neither of these in this one.
Come on Rachel what do you think about this. Your very quiet today, hope you are alright.”
by Rodders65
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:59AM
“I agree with Eddie51on this
Along with A boards, the clowncil need to pay a visit down some roads that have pavements half blocked by goods on display outside the shops.....Evington Road and Green Lane Road would be good starting points.”
by Eddie51
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:11AM
“So it's alright to cover the pavement with all the the goods from your shop, but an A board, which I agree is a menace, but does not take up anywhere near the amount of space.
Try walking around Evington Road shops where most of the pavement is taken up with displays of the shops goods.
Do these shopkeepers pay rates or rent for the pavement space they use. Are they insured for any accidents that these diplays could cause. And do they have council permission to use the pavement for these extensions of their shops.
WHAT IS THE COUNCIL DOING ABOUT THIS FAR BIGGER HAZARD. NOTHING AS USUAL.
Maybe we need Peter or Porkey to trip over one of these obstructions then some action might be taken, or at the very least they would award themselves a fat sum of compensation.”