Traders fear Kirklees Council’s A-board policy will hit small, independent shops in Huddersfield town centre.
The council introduced a licensing policy so shopkeepers could have A-boards if they applied for a licence, which costs £105.
But the Examiner has been contacted by traders from Imperial Arcade and Market Avenue in recent days after their applications were rejected on the grounds they all wanted an A-board on New Street – more than 1.8m away from their shops.
Bizarrely, the traders say they were encouraged by Kirklees to apply but were not told of the 1.8m rule. The 2013 council report on the issue also makes no mention of the 1.8m rule.
Gareth Hughes of Diversons Gifts in Imperial Arcade, says the loss of advertising could cost him 10% of his annual trade.
He said: “We understand the obstruction issue, but we’ve not had a single complaint or trip in all these years.
“We had to get drawings and designs and fill in a long application form, we wouldn’t have done it if they told us about this policy in the first place.
“The irony is, Kirklees will allow A-boards for the shops on New Street, but they don’t need them as they get passing trade.
“This will hit the small, independent retailers in the arcades.
“Kirklees is removing a method of us getting customers... over a year that’s 10% of my trade I could lose and there’s been no communication with us about this.
“We’re proud to be in Huddersfield, proud to be independent. This is another nail in Huddersfield town centre’s coffin.”
Mr Hughes suggested ideas to Kirklees, such as shops advertising on existing street furniture or siting their A-boards against unsightly sights such as bins.
Richard Evans, of Pro-body Piercing in Imperial Arcade, added: “The first I knew was when an enforcement officer told me I’d have to apply for a licence, but they’ve turned them all down.
“We understand the obstacle issue but you don’t see York tarmacing over The Shambles because of a potential trip hazard.”
Les Clancy, of Silver Lining Piercing Studio at Market Avenue, added: “This will mean that all the arcades, shops and businesses that are not on main thoroughfares can’t have A-boards sited where they will generate the most footfall into their shops.
“It seems a bit unfair of the council to run a market day on New Street, with all the accompanying problems of litter, blocked thoroughfares, etc and not let the permanent businesses have A-boards outside on New Street.”
A Kirklees spokeswoman said: “The policy aims to make our streets and highways more accessible for people with visual impairments and mobility issues as well as making sure that our town centres look attractive and encourage economic sustainability.
“Before the policy was implemented the council made personal visits and gave out leaflets to businesses likely to be affected – giving them time to apply for a license to place a board outside their business premises before we took action to remove unlicensed boards.
“If permission is granted for an A-board then there is a fee of £105 for a five-year licence, this covers the cost of administrating the process.
“When we are unable to give a licence, based on the information provided in the application, we will work with businesses to explore other ways of advertising.”
