TWO business partners have accused Kirklees planners of “heavy-handed” action – after threats to fine them £2,500 over an advertising banner.
Alison Mattock, 38, and Charlotte Nethercoat, 25, hung the 8ft x 3ft banner outside their premises to promote their physiotherapy business.
The professionally-designed plastic banner, which cost about £150, was displayed outside Wellfield House at New Hey Road , Marsh, for eight months.
But then a letter came from Kirklees Council – aimed at their company Wellfield Physiotherapy, but addressed to another firm in the building – threatening prosecution.
The letter gave a seven-day deadline to remove the banner or they would face legal action and a fine of up to £2,500 and a further £250 for each day the banner remained after a successful court prosecution.
Alison said: “We have only been in business since December 2011 and the letter scared us.
“It had been delayed a few days and we panicked and thought the council could just fine us, rather than take us to court, and we would have to pay all this money.
“You read all this about councils and the Government saying they want to help small businesses, but all this is just so heavy-handed.”
Alison said she and Charlotte wanted to do everything correctly and rang the council to find out what they needed to do to keep the banner.
“We rang up and were told that we could apply for advertisement consent and that would cost us £195,” said Alison.
“We were assured that if we did that everything should be okay.
“But another company in the building, which also had a banner outside, called the planning department and was told the banners were illegal and there was no way we would get permission.
“We don’t want to be in this position and want to do everything properly, but how can you do that when you get conflicting information from the council?
“All we were trying to do is promote our business and let people know where we are.
“It’s difficult enough in the current economic climate and the council should be helping, not hindering, small businesses.”
Alison and Charlotte have taken advice from the Federation of Small Businesses and are awaiting a reply from the council’s head of planning.
A council spokesman said: “Whilst the council aims to support individual businesses wherever possible, there is also the need to improve the visual appearance of the area by removing inappropriate banner posters and steps have been taken to tackle illegal advertisements displayed on main roads in the Marsh area.
“Balancing both these aims may occasionally conflict.
“If a company wishes to display any advertisement on its premises, the council offers support and guidance on how to apply for advertisement consent.”
