Promotional banners stolen from Bridgnorth

Banners promoting Bridgnorth's independent and usually bustling high street shops have been stolen.

LAST COPYRIGHT SHROPSHIRE STAR STEVE LEATH 08/02/2021..Pic in Bridgnorth Town Centre of Steve Robbins. Chair of Bridgnorth Chamber & Commerce. Pictured with one of a number of banners they had around the town reminding people that shopping local really does make a difference, at all time but particuarly now. But a large number of the banners have been stolen at a cost to the Chamber and thus traders, to replace them..

The six signs were located on the three main traffic islands at the entrances to the town near Ludlow Road, the Bandon Arms and where the A458 meets the A442.

Costing hundreds of pounds, the banners were erected after hours of work by Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce volunteers in November last year to give struggling traders a welcome boost.

But chairman of the chamber, Steve Robbins, noticed on Friday, January 29, that they had been removed from one island before he checked all three and found six banners were missing in total.

"The frustration is that this is something the members of the chamber clearly pay for," Steve said.

Steve Robbins, chairman of Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce, with one of the remaining banners in the centre of town

"We're a not for profit organisation and we get our funding from our members so if we spend that money to try and help them and somebody steals those banners, it's not just hitting the traders because the supportive message has gone, they're also paying for them to be replaced."

Three larger banners provided by the chamber still remain on railings throughout the town.

"There shouldn't ever be anybody apart from council employees on those islands," Steve said. "So if anybody has seen anyone on those islands, please get in contact with the police, who have been informed.

"We're just hoping someone might have seen something as this is a real shame for the chamber, all its members and the town as a whole."

Put up before the latest lockdown was announced, the vibrant banners acted as an eye-catching way to drive home the message of supporting local traders.

Steve added: "Our traders have been having such a hard time.

"As if they don't have enough problems right now, that anyone would deliberately do this is really disappointing."

Anyone with information can contact West Mercia Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org