Kent Businesses can show they are 'A' grade advertisers (Faversham and Mid Kent Liberal Democrats)

Faversham and Mid Kent Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Kent Businesses can show they are 'A' grade advertisers

November 15, 2011 9:47 AM
Originally published by Liberal Democrats on Kent County Council

Pat Edwards, Malcolm Robertson and Neville Butteriss launch ‘A-Board Aware’ Lib Dem County Councillor Malcolm Robertson has backed a new Kent initiative, 'A-board Aware', which is being launched to encourage businesses in Maidstone to show that they are responsible advertisers.

Shop keepers, café owners and firms that use advertising boards - so-called 'A-boards' - can demonstrate they display signs on the pavement in a way that minimises obstructions to parents with pushchairs, the elderly, and those with sight difficulties or mobility problems, following a change in policy.

Kent County Council Lib Dem Spokesman for Environment, Highways and Waste, Malcolm Robertson, said:

"I am very pleased with this new voluntary policy with the window stickers. It is far preferable to the previous proposal where shop-owners would have to pay for a license fee with a whole bureaucracy to support that.

"I would urge shop-keepers to sign-up for free to this voluntary code and be seen to be responsible and caring for the interests of those with impaired sight who have to negotiate our crowded streets."

Those firms that comply with the regulations will receive a window sticker that they can put up in the shop front, showing that they are taking care to avoid causing an obstruction on the street outside their shop or business.

Where an A-board is placed inappropriately, Kent will advise the owner to re-site it and encourage them to sign up to our scheme. However, if the owner doesn't take action, it will be removed.

Neville Butteriss and Pat Edwards, who have been campaigning against A-boards, welcomed the initiative. Mr Butteriss also suggested that business could consider using different forms of advertising.

Mr Butteriss said:

"A-frames are there for a purpose and I'm not here to stop people trading. I'm all for people trading in the town - there's too many shops closing down. It would be nice if more businesses could trade without advertising blocking up the streets. My argument has always been let's have signs hanging outside shops."

Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Jo James, said:

"I am delighted that Kent County Council understands the balance that has to be struck between the benefits advertising boards bring traders and how they can add to the cultural environment of town centres, and the requirement to make sure potential hazards are minimised. This is a welcome initiative from Kent County Council."

Businesses that want to find out more can visit http://www.kent.gov.uk/aboards.

Businesses that want to get a window sticker can email: roadworks.licensing@kent.gov.uk, or write to:

KCC Highways and Transportation - Roadworks Teams, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1XX

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