Businesses to fight council's A-board ban

Small businesses in a town centre are opposing the council's decision to ban the use of A-boards outside their shops.

Cheltenham Borough Council has written to shop owners to tell them that businesses in certain "conservation areas" of Cheltenham town centre are unlikely to be allowed to keep the boards from June when the ban comes into force.

Regent Street shop owners have vocally opposed the ban which will see those who do not comply fined £150 with an additional £1 to pay for every day the board is kept in storage.

The ban aims to reduce risk to pedestrians and improve the townscape but business owner Lauren Abraham-Milton said her A-board was the reason most customers enter her shop.

In a letter, Cheltenham Borough Council told businesses it was holding "a borough-wide review of A-board signage and all A-boards placed in areas with public access require formal consent from the council.

"The unlicensed use of A-boards can present significant challenges for the townscape," the council said.

"Cluttered pavements can impede pedestrian movement, create barriers for people with disabilities, parents with prams and those with visual impairments."

The council said the signage can "detract from the overall appearance and character of our streets".

Abraham-Milton, the owner of Loft & Spires on Regent Street, has written back to the council to express her concerns.

"We ask every single customer how they discovered us and the majority say it's down to our A-board," she said.

"I cannot stress enough how vital it is.

"Since getting it we've noticed business has improved a lot so the threat of that disappearing is quite a worrying one."

Caroline Stevens, owner of The Ultimate Balloon and Party shop, opposite Loft & Spires, said having an A-board "makes people stop and look rather than having tunnel vision".

She said: "We need the council to be proactive and look after the small businesses in town.

"Three shops have closed down here in the last six months.

"All of our prices are going up and we have to fight for every sale in order to stay open so I think we do need to fight this."

Businesses opposing the ban are being supported by the Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID).

Chief Executive Francesca Inman said the decision had come at a "bad time" for small businesses.

"Since April, VAT has landed on them, business relief has gone, rates have changed and the minimum wage has gone up," she said.

"So really, its quite detrimental to small independent businesses."

Councillor Izaac Tailford, from Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "We recognise the strength of feeling from businesses and understand the very real challenges facing the high street.

''The introduction of the council's A-board policy is intended to ensure that Cheltenham's streets remain safe and accessible for everyone.

"We have received feedback that street furniture, including A-boards, can make it difficult for people who use wheelchairs, are visually impaired or have other mobility needs to move around the town centre.

"This policy is about striking the right balance between supporting businesses and maintaining clear, inclusive public spaces."