Cannock Chase traders to be charged to to put up advertising boards
Plans to charge businesses £85 to put up pavement advertising boards are set to be introduced – sparking anger from traders.
Cannock Chase District Council will meet tomorrow to discuss proposals to update its policy for commercial use of the highway, including A-boards, pavement cafes, promotions and gazebos.
Under the scheme, it will cost £85 to set up an A-board for three years, up to £500 a year for a pavement cafe depending on its size, and £25 a day for single items such as rides. Council bosses hope the move will ‘breathe new life’ into town centres.
But the plans have been criticised following a consultation in February and March.
There are currently 165 A-boards set up across the district, as well as 25 pavement cafes and 25 ‘miscellaneous’ items.
According to a report, traders have said the authority could spend the £15,000 to £20,000 it will cost to administer and monitor the scheme better on preventing anti-social behaviour, or tackling town centre drinkers.
Dave Wood wrote to the council on behalf of traders in Hednesford town centre.
He said: “We recognise the benefits that proper regulation of commercial obstructions can bring to a town centre and believe that this creates common ground between the council and town centre traders.
“The traders vehemently object, however, to the payment of fees and believe that the complexity of the administrative process proposed is burdernsome and excessive.”
Michael Tichford, head of economic development at the council, said: “This policy will be applied to all street trading activities within the Cannock Chase District Council area. It is intended to assist in the consistency of decision making and enforcement.
“The aim is to ensure that the council acts consistently in their dealing with street trading and that traders operate within the law and act fairly in their dealings with the public.”
Angi Cooney, on behalf of Rugeley Traders Association, said: “We aknowledge the need for some control of commercial obstructions but are concerned that the proposed policy amounts to a tax on small town centre traders and will result in price increases which will have to be passed on to the customer.”
The policy has been recommended for approval.
