Warning to traders over A-boards

BUSINESSES in Henley have been warned about their use of advertising boards.

Town centre manager Paul Carey says he has had received complaints about the A-boards being positioned “haphazardly” on pavements.

The town council’s
A-board policy states that they should be placed as close to the shop entrance as possible without causing an obstruction and that there should only be one per business.

In a letter sent to businesses this week, Mr Carey said: “While the council recognises that trading conditions on the high street remain difficult and the retail sector has to be resourceful to grab the attention of customers, we also have an obligation to be mindful of health and safety for all residents wishing to use the pavements.

“Currently a number of premises is contravening the policy by placing their
A-boards close to the road and also using two or sometimes three to advertise their businesses.

“I would kindly ask all retailers to adhere to the policy and ensure that they are using A-boards appropriately.

“We will remove A-boards where they are positioned haphazardly on the footpath, not positioned close to the premises, where more than one A-board is being used and where the policy is being contravened in any way that is likely to cause a health and safety risk to residents and visitors.”

The council’s policy says no A-boards are permitted unless the business can demonstrate it has received consent from South Oxfordshire District Council.

If a business is found to contravene the policy, the town council will make contact and ask for the A-board to be moved or the business risks having it removed.

If the board is not moved within one day, the council will take it away and inform the business.

If the board is not collected within 28 days, the council will dispose of it.

Any business that continues to contravene the rules will be referred to the district council or even the police.

In 2019, the town council first discussed restricting businesses in the town centre to one A-board each.

Councillors had become concerned about the growing number of boards on the street and the obstruction they cause for pedestrians, particularly people with poor vision, in a wheelchair or pushing a child’s buggy.

The Henley Society, which supported the crackdown, had carried out a count and found a total of 76 A-boards in the four main streets.
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