Traders in legal fight over signs ban

Ludlow traders who have been asked to remove pavement billboards today revealed they could launch a legal challenge to the move, claiming it could lead to their businesses closing.

Businesses said the pilot project run by Shropshire Council to reduce the number of A-boards was far from voluntary.

They felt they were being forced to scrap an essential part of their advertising.

And a group of about 15 traders are now jointly paying for a solicitor to look into the legal position over the issue.

Debbie Chatham, of the Ludlow Cookshop in Pepper Lane, said: "They've sent letters to some businesses asking them to remove A-boards voluntarily, but then they will remove them, charge us £10 a day for storage and may destroy them after 28 days, so it's voluntary, but with a gun to your head."

Recession

She added: "The council believes it has the jurisdiction to just come in and remove A-boards as it pleases. The traders are up in arms, we are still recovering from a recession, it isn't over yet and many rely absolutely on their directional A-boards if they are in back streets. Their removal would equal the closure of our business."

A solicitor has written to Shropshire Council on behalf of the traders stating their position and saying they are open to discussion to find a solution, she said. The Ludlow Cookshop has been running a petition, which has just under 100 signatures.

Kate Adams, Shropshire Council's street scene manager for south-west Shropshire, said: "We would like to stress this policy is not to remove A-boards completely, but to ensure they are used in an appropriate manner following many concerns from residents to reduce the number of A-boards in our market towns."

By Hannah Costigan