£50 fee plan over Wellington shop row

Shopkeepers banned from displaying their wares in Wellington could now be asked to pay £50 a year for a pavement licence.

From April, Telford & Wrekin Council wants to introduce a licensing system for any business to have street displays.

The proposed £50 fee is in line with that charged by Shropshire Council for the same service.

Telford &?Wrekin Council now plans to discuss the proposals with the affected traders.

It comes after two traders in New Street were sent council letters threatening fines of £1,000 if they did not remove their displays.

Councillor Hilda Rhodes today said: "We have no problem with traders displaying and advertising their business on the street, but this needs to be done in a con- trolled and fair way, which our licensing system will do."

She said the council was 'very confident' traders will support this approach and there would be no need for further action.