Wirral Council urged to re-think shop sign charging plans

Sep 16 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

BUSINESS leaders are calling for an urgent re-think on “money-grabbing” council plans to charge for shop signs.

Over the next six months shop and business owners wanting to display boards outside their premises will be forced to pay £50 for the first year and then £40 for every subsequent year.

Those wanting shop displays will have to pay £75 for the first year and £60 for every year after that.

Ken Davies, of the Wirral Chamber of Commerce, and Paul Henly, policy manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, this week urged the council to re-think the plans.

Mr Davies said: “These are extraordinarily difficult times for our members. The council’s timing is all wrong.”

Mr Henly added: “All too often the public sector says how much it wants to help the private sector and this plan slaps that remark in the face.

“We condemn this money- grabbing exercise and urge the council to support its businesses, particularly on the high street instead of imposing unnecessary charges on them.”

Terry Hunter, who launched a Shop Local Campaign in Liscard earlier this year to try and encourage people to use their small local shops, is disheartened by these charges.