New blow for traders (From Western Telegraph)

New blow for traders

Business owners ordered to remove their signs and goods from pavements last week have been dealt another blow as the county council has ruled out the idea of a permit scheme.

That is bad news for John Ryan, of Wisebuys, who has been displaying fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers outside his shop for the past 16 years. He fears the new rules will jeopardise the businesss branches in Pembroke and Narberth.

Businesses throughout the county have received letters ordering them to take their signs inside but were encouraged to contact the council to see if an agreement could be reached. Many business owners were expecting to be able to apply for permission to keep their signs on display.

However, when asked about a sign permit scheme, a council spokesman said there were no plans to issue permits and the ban on any object on the public highway was total.

Mr Ryan said: If we do not put our produce outside we will not sell it, especially flowers and seasonal produce like strawberries. Theyre picked up on impulse most of the time. If we cant put them outside, we will only sell about a quarter of what we would normally. This will not only affect us but will also have an effect on local producers and growers.

In the 16 years he has been trading, Mr Ryan has had only one complaint about the items on the pavement and says that complaint was sorted out on the spot. He said: Weve checked the width of the pavement outside and you can get a double-buggy past there. We dont want to upset the customers in the street, we want them to come in.

Mr Ryan says he will probably keep his goods on display despite the council order, risking a £2,500 fine for doing so. He said: I will not jeopardise the family business. Theres three brothers, lots of kids and mum and dad relying on this.