Wirral Council in u-turn over plan to charge traders for signs outside their businesses

Mar 24 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Council has performed a surprise U-turn over pay to display plans for shops.

Shopkeepers accused the council of being "money-grabbing" last year after charges were introduced for those using A boards, signs or external shop displays to advertise their business in the street.

The plan would have seen traders pay £50 for the first year of displaying A boards and then £40 for every subsequent year, with a charge of £75 for the first year of a shop display licence.

The council also faced criticism from Wirral Chamber of Commerce, which said the timing of the charges was "all wrong".

Members of the council’s Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee have now recommended the charging element should be abolished altogether after Bebington councillor Walter Smith intervened.

But shops will still have to apply for a permit – and the list of items has been extended to include novelty displays, plants, furniture, statues and cut-outs and trestles.

Although 400 businesses were invited to apply for a permit or remove items from the highway, just 40 applied.

A report to councillors on the issue noted: "In response to our requests to apply for permits we have We have received representations from a number of businesses, mainly shopkeepers and retail traders, who have raised concerns regarding the implications of this policy on their businesses in the light of the current economic climate.

"A number of local councillors have since raised similar concerns and voiced support for the affected businesses.

"The main concern is that some businesses have traditionally displayed items on the highway and that the imposition of charges to display goods or advertise on the highway will place an unacceptable financial strain on them."

The report said the purpose of charging would be to offset the costs of administrating the scheme and not to generate additional income.

The changes do not apply to charges for pavement cafes., which have been in place for several years.

Terry Hunter, who launched a Shop Local campaign in Liscard last year, said: "I think this is good news and I’m glad the council has seen a bit of sense but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

"Everyone’s just struggling at the moment. The council should be trying to help, not hinder us." and it was the last thing we needed."

"The council should be trying to help us, not hinder us and think things through more carefully.

Liscard Councillor Leah Fraser said: "I'm glad the council has thought again about their plan for charging traders additional fees.

"Most of the traders and shopkeepers I meet are struggling with the effects of the recession and the last thing they needed was this fee."

A spokesman for Wirral Council said the decision would go to cabinet members for final approval.

lThe Director of Development from the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) will visit Liscard on Wednesday, March 31.

Cllr Fraser said: "Birkenhead may be a priority for the council but if you ask people in Wallasey, they will tell you about Liscard.

"I have invited the Association of Town Centre Managers to Liscard in the hope that they can share their knowledge and experience with our council officers on how to keep Liscard working. It promises to be a lively discussion."