Pavement permit U-turn by council
Shropshire council has reversed a decision to bring in a massive rise in the cost of a pavement permit for shops and cafes that have outside areas.
Businesses had been horrified to discover that their licences had gone up from £50 to £311, a 500 per cent increase.
Many said that the increase could mean them having to stop putting displays outside.
After letters and objections from both traders and councillors the unitary authority has announced that it has deferred the increase.
It says it recognises the current pressures on the High Street.
Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Communities, Place Planning and Regulatory Services, said that the fees associated with a pavement permit had increased.
But he said: "The Council now recognises that such an increase at this time is not appropriate given the current pressures on our High Street businesses and it has been decided to defer any rise in the pavement permit fees at this time until a further review with wider consultation has been undertaken."
The U-turn has been welcomed by shopkeepers.
Louise Idoux who runs the Oswestry Herbarium on Albion Hill in Oswestry, said she was delighted with the decision.
"It was a ridiculous increase. We know that prices have to rise, we all expect that. But going up from £50 to £300 was crazy."
The qualified herbalist practitioner, puts herbs, used in treatments, on staging outside the shop, which also sells health foods.
"I only make between 20-50p on the plants that I sell and I have worked out I would have to sell about 2,000 a year to cover the cost of the licence. The licence had been due for renewal on June 14 and, if this cost had gone ahead I would not have been able to continue selling them."
Oswestry town councillor Mike Coppock and town and county councillor Vince Hunt, were among those who had complained about the rise, with Councillor Hunt asking for the move to be called in by the scrutiny committee.
He said the was pleased by the deferment.
"We should, after all, be trying to build healthy and vibrant high streets, and not be charging them into extinction," he said.
Councillor Coppock said it was great news.
"At a time when local independent shops are struggling Shropshire Council should be looking for ways to help them. Such pavement displays brighten up the town centre."
