Your letters: Traders join debate over advertising boards - 20/08/10
I am writing in reference to the articles in the Mercury on July 30 and August 6 regarding advertising boards.
I was disappointed to find how few comments were documented from the retailers themselves.
The many comments detailed from councillors appeared to suggest that businesses show no care or regard for shoppers using the High Street.
We are told that people should be put before businesses, but are business owners not people too?
Is it also not the businesses which shoppers come in to the centre of town to visit? Surely rather than painting the businesses such as this, we should discuss alternatives and solutions together as a community?
I do agree that A-boards used by shops in High Street are not necessary, as the shop frontage is clearly visible. But for many small businesses and independent retailers, who are forced to the back streets and passageways of the town due to the high rental costs in High Street, it is vital to highlight our location to shoppers in order for the businesses to survive.
Following your articles I have paid extra attention to note the position of the A-boards in High Street, and have found that in all cases thy are placed at the sides of the High Street, taking up no more than a metre and a half of the High Street which stands at about 8ms in width.
With this in mind I find it difficult to understand why councillors feel there is insufficient room for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
If the A-boards are considered unsafe for the visually impaired, is this not also the case for the benches, lamp posts, bins and buskers which line the length of High Street?
Also in reference to the safety of the boards, I am somewhat bemused as to why charging a fee for the use of the boards, as suggested by councillors, makes them safer? How is a monetary charge a solution if the argument is that the boards are an unsafe obstruction?
A more sensible suggestion in my opinion would be to maintain allocated areas for A-boards, for which retailers could apply for permission.
This could include tactile paving to highlight where these areas are, similar to that used at pedestrian crossings. Another suggestion would be elevated signage at the end of each alley or passage way.
I would like to reiterate the point that without the use of advertising boards, the businesses which are located away from High Street would simply not survive.
It is very disappointing to find our local councillors are not interested in supporting local small businesses, by finding a compromise or even attempting to discuss the topic with retailers to find a solution together. And are in fact looking to charge us even more rates, which for many would be the last straw financially.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our town, but with such suggestions as this new bylaw, and the impact it will have, Stamford will no longer be a town where people can visit for these small, individual local shops, but sadly one of many 'chain store dominated' towns.
Abigail Yardley
Abi Golightly, Silver Lane, Stamford
I thought I would add the point of view of shopkeepers who have premises tucked away in the lanes off High Street.
I openly admit there are far too many A-boards in High Street and as I went up the High Street yesterday I noticed that the majority of them are outside the shops on the High Street themselves (including the banks)!
If I were lucky enough to be able to afford a premise on the High Street I don't think I would then add to the clutter by putting an A-Board out.
I personally agree with those people who say that the shops in the lanes and passageways need to advertise their shops and should therefore be allowed A-Boards so long as they are considerately placed.
We need as much trade as possible as we do not benefit from being on the main shopping area.
We also need as much trade as possible to cover the cost of constantly repairing our smashed windows and the cost of clearing up Friday and Saturday night's vomit and urine outside our shops.
Perhaps the council's attention would be better placed helping us small businesses by alleviating the disgusting mess and damage we have to pay for?
One pane of glass costs me nearly 100 to replace so how about moving on from the somewhat tiresome debate about advertising our businesses and helping us combat the sickening vandalism and mess we are left to contend with?
Helen Fox
Mummy & Me, Wellington Lane, Stamford
HOW refreshing it was to read three letters in the Mercury from Mr Spiegl, Mr Hetherington and Ms Kemp, regarding the A-board controversy putting forward sensible and constructive points of view in support of traders, tourists and shoppers in the town.
Why is it when politicians are faced with a problem their first reaction is either to ban it or put a levy on it, instead of managing the situation to the benefit of all concerned?
Instead of the council imposing yet another draconian bylaw why not offer to provide elevated finger boards to direct tourists and shoppers to the shops and services available within the attractive and picturesque alleys and byways in the town.
W DICKENS
Victoria Road, Stamford
A family friend mentioned with all the money wasted around the world in hi-tech apparatus that doesn't work why can't some boffin come up with an "early warning system" that can be fitted to objects that can cause injuries to elderly/blind people.
So I got to thinking in the A-board scenario – what if each board and elderly/blind person or guide dog was fitted with a sensor warning that say, six feet away that they need to be slowing up to take avoiding action or seek assistance verbally.
Or the sensor could when very close give off a medium level sounded warning that the person needs help. It could be solar powered taking onus of both parties to replace batteries.
As a health and safety advisor I fear it won't be long in present "dial a claim" climate before some savvy person brings litigation against a shop in Stamford – so perhaps there might be some interest in this solution….
Trev Shute
Parker Road, Wittering
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