A-board ban hits traders

Traders say they are frustrated they have to place the signs in their doorways where they are less visible.

They claim their end of the high street is already neglected and they are suffering further because of the government legislation enforced by Spelthorne Council.

Director of Lewis and Sons furniture store, Paul Milner, said: "We're like a secondary part of Staines; it looks dead down here now. The council isn't trying to help us at all.

"The council have their own litter bins and lamp-posts on the pavement. If everyone put their Aboards in line with the lampposts, there would be no problem. You have to have a bit of flexibility."

Owner of Café Ricco, Joao Ribeiro, agreed: "It is stupid, because you see them everywhere else - Kingston, Chiswick, towns with a good reputation.

"We have lost business since they went. There's people passing by and they don't seem to realise there is a café here. A-boards are part of the street where there are businesses; they are part of the street's decoration."

Sales manager at bed shop Bedtime, Richard Lock, is annoyed anyway that there are bollards on the narrow pavement out-side his shops. He said: "Business has been slowing down and it has dropped off even more since the A-boards rules came in."

Spelthorne Council leader, John Packman, said: "It is part of government legislation that requires the pavements be kept clear and we are responsible for participating in that legislation.

"While I have every sympathy with these shop-keepers in this economic climate, I find it hard to believe that the loss of an A-board outside their shop interferes with or has an impact on their trading."