Advertising board ban 'will kill town'

8:59am Saturday 30th September 2006

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A WILTON businesswoman fears council red tape will "kill" the town after being ordered to remove her advertising A-board from the street.

Lavinia Broom, who owns Lavinia's Hair and Beauty, in South Street, received a letter from Salisbury district council telling her she must stop putting her portable sign by the roadside or face fines and possible prosecution.

The move comes following a similar council campaign last year to stop the practice in Salisbury, in which it was claimed the boards are unsightly and dangerous.

But Mrs Broom believes forcing their removal in Wilton will seriously damage the town's traders.

"It's bound to affect business - not just mine but all the businesses in Wilton," she said.

"We're trying to keep Wilton alive and this will just kill it - it's absolutely ridiculous.

Mrs Broom added the council should be trying to encourage businesses in Wilton rather than hindering them.

She has kept her board off the street since receiving the letter, but worries it will soon have an impact on takings.

"The reason we have boards is to promote our businesses," said Mrs Broom.

"It's another way of encouraging people to come in and they know we're open once it's there.

"Every day we've got different offers and lots of people say they drive past and see it and phone up.

"It's not affected trade yet, but people have noticed it's not there.

"When I bought the board I checked to see there was no consent needed.

"They (at the council) moan and groan there aren't enough businesses here but there's too much red tape - they're killing it. I've been in hairdressing 20 years and I came here because I think I can make it work - I have, for 12 months, but I don't need councillors making it more difficult for me and other businesses.

"If my board was in the middle of the path then I'd understand. But it's tucked out of the way. You can get a wheelchair or a motorised scooter by it."

A council spokeswoman said the decision to ban A-boards in Salisbury's city centre had been hugely successful, gaining support from the public and disability groups, and this move is an extension of that.

"Not only are such boards unlawful, but they can also cause hazards to pedestrians and spoil the look of the street," she said.

"The council is keen to work together with local businesses and it could be that some businesses were unaware of the law."