Bradford florists hit by council crackdown
Florists - 01/12/2006 12:13:42
The decision of Bradford council to ban shops from displaying goods or advertisements on pavements has angered a local florist.
John Hardaker and his wife currently run a key florist's shop in Bradford's city centre which regularly displays flowers on the space outside, reports the Yorkshire Post.
However, the local council has now ruled that on-street displays could potentially cause problems for disabled people and parents with pushchairs, with any trader found guilty of blocking the pavement facing possible legal action.
Yet many shop owners are worried that new legislation could impact sales.
"Around 30 per cent of our business comes from the flowers out there," said Mr Hardaker.
"We could not afford to lose 30 per cent of our wages, it would drive us out of business."
He added that last year around 3,000 signatures were collected to support the rejection of the ban, with many claiming that the on-street presence helps to liven up the area.
John Blackburn, head of Bradford Council's traffic and highways department explained that traders have been given a year to arrange alternatives and added: "We will be writing to anyone who continues to display goods outside their shops reminding them that they are contravening the Highways Act."
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