Traders in Walsall town centre have voiced their anger after being told to remove advertising boards from outside their businesses.

Trading standards officials visited businesses in Bradford Street yesterday, telling staff they must remove A-boards from the street.

The authority said it was responding to complaints that they are obstacles for pedestrians, but the firms fear the move will kill trade. Carl Mitchell, owner of Bonce hair salon, said: “The council should be helping retailers instead of doing this.”

The 39-year-old, of Wednesbury, added: “We are above a vacant shop and rely on the A-board to get more business. If I get one more customer a day because of it and they spend an average of £30, that’s more than £10,000 a year. That’s a lot of money to lose.”

Charlie Gannon, assistant manager at Shoe Zone, said he was asked to remove promotional baskets from outside the shop. “They said the baskets were classed as an obstruction,” the 30-year-old, of Pleck, said.

“They are only 2ft high and have a few pairs of shoes in them. They promote the store. This is what drives customers in.”

Optical assistant Jennifer Corns said staff at Eye Openers were also asked to take down A-boards.

The 23-year-old, of Beechdale, said: “They are one of the main sources of advertising. Without them, shops stand to lose out.”

Lorraine Boothman, spokesman for trading standards, said: “In response to the complaints about A-boards we have been out into the town and visited those premises involved.

“They have been advised on current legislation with Walsall Council that they cannot put A-boards out and have been asked to remove them accordingly.”