Businesses say 'save our A-boards'

DOZENS of workers from businesses across the city joined a protest in Old Market Square in a bid to save their A-boards.

Nottingham City Council wants to scrap the advertising boards, saying they pose a risk to visually-impaired people and make street cleaning more difficult.

But the proposals have caused outrage among business owners who fear they could lose out on valuable custom if they are not allowed to use the boards.

Workers from more than 30 different businesses turned out for yesterday lunchtime's protest, along with their A-boards, chanting 'Save Our Shops' and waving banners.

Organiser Jasmin Barlow-Wilkinson, owner of Homemade cafe in Pelham Street, said: "We all feel very strongly about the decision that's been taken without consultation. The people here are only a handful of those who feel very unhappy about what's going on."

Businesses in attendance ranged from cafes to boutiques to gyms.

Mark Roper, assistant manager of Shakeaway in the Market Square, said: "By taking away the A-boards they are taking away the character of the city centre."

James Elston, director of Alley Cafe, said: "The boards are really important to us because, unless people already know about us, they would have no way of finding us."

Steven Ingman, manager of Cybergolf in St James' Street, said: "In this current economic downturn the A-boards are pretty much all many small businesses have in the way of advertising. It seems ludicrous for the council's point of view to harm Nottingham businesses."

Chris Hillyer, manager of Formula One gym in Victoria Street, said: "It's our only chance to let people know where we are, or whether we've got offers on, unless we plaster all our buildings with great big signs. Maybe that's what they want us to do?"

Up to 700 firms have had warning letters from the city council's traffic manager.

The letter said the council was adopting "a blanket policy" for the removal of boards.

The authority says it has received complaints about A-boards from the public and disabled people.

Traffic manager Rob James said: "We are trying to reduce clutter in the city and undertake our duties under the Highways Act 1980 to remove illegal obstructions from the public highway."

Under the plans, businesses will be issued with a removal letter and have 14 days to comply before their board is seized by the council.

Marcus McHale, manager of Atlas deli in Pelham Street, said: "We feel like there should have been some dialogue between ratepayers and the council, but there has been none. That's what we are hoping the protest will achieve."

A council spokeswoman said they had no further comments to add after yesterday's protest and that the council's position on A-boards remained the same.

sarah.gillett@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk