Isle of Wight town businesses frustrated at sign permit plan

These A-boards, often known as sandwich boards or pavement signs, are used by local businesses as a vital tool to attract customers and promote products, services and special offers.

Under the current policy, businesses can freely place these signs on the pavement without formal permission.

The proposed change would introduce a £225 permit requirement for all A-boards, regardless of their size, an extension from the initial plan, which only targeted boards over 1.5m high. 

• Local business owners have until Saturday, August 31, to voice their opinions at licensing@iow.gov.uk 

Neil Mason, co-owner of Town Choice, Newport told the County Press he relies heavily on these signs to draw attention to his cafe’s offerings.

He said: “Without these signs, people won’t know we sell Coca-Cola, ice creams, dog ice creams or Island roasted coffee. These signs pull people in.”

Andrew Morgan, who co-owns The Blue Door Cafe, described the policy as a “sheer frustration” and a sign that the council lacks understanding.

He said: “Post-Covid, the council has been fantastic, but this move is really tough for us. There’s no sympathy for local businesses.

“Our winter trade is difficult, and even summer business depends on the weather. Newport isn’t a city centre – you can’t compare the Island to the mainland.”

Signs outside The Blue Door Cafe in Newport (Image: IWCP)

For Steve and Sharon Gascoyne, owners of Available Light Gallery, their A-board serves a dual purpose – directing customers to their shop and preventing pedestrians from bumping into each other on the corner of St Thomas’ Square.

Steve said: “I understand that boards can sometimes be in the way, but Island Roads can move them if needed.

“This just feels like a money-making scheme, and it’s another hit on us.”

Sign outside Available Light Gallery in Newport (Image: IWCP)

Sarah Holmes, of Skintrade, questioned the basis for the extra charge, saying the shop's boards would be coming "straight in".

Jo Randall, secretary of the Newport Business Association (NBA) and owner of Love Running, called the proposed fee “unaffordable” for small businesses.

“We don’t think it’s the right way forward, and it’s not going to go down well,” she warned.

Sign outside The Wheatsheaf in Newport (Image: IWCP)

Both the Newport and Ryde Business Associations have criticised the policy as an unfair financial burden on small businesses, with the latter describing it as “another money maker at the cost of small, local businesses.”

Some business owners the County Press spoke to had no idea of the proposed plan, but most shared the same opinion – they would not pay it, and they would remove their boards.

Andrew Tapsell, chair of the NBA, acknowledged the need to monitor the replacement of A-boards for public safety but questioned the new proposal.

He said: "We are concerned that a £225 levy to display an A-board would be an unnecessary burden on some of the small retailers.

“The council should focus on offering clear guidance and stronger policing on A-boards instead.

"We are opposed to the levy. We feel that a better approach would be for the council to scrap the proposal and, instead, offer all businesses official guidance and clarity on the positioning of A-boards."

In response, the IW Council said the consultation process is open for businesses to voice their opinions.

A spokesperson encouraged businesses to participate, noting further information is available through the council’s licensing team.

UPDATE:

An IW Council spokesperson has added: ‘’It is important to reiterate that this is not a public consultation as there is no direct change for the public to be concerned about.

"As you can appreciate the council needs to prioritise contacting and responding to those directly affected.

"This is a consultation period, not a decision and no plans have been decided yet.

"This will go through Full Council later this year for the final decision. This will take into account the responses we have received.

"The council can confirm that we have not only made contact with business through the Chamber but also business associations too.

"This is to ensure that a cross section of businesses from around the Island have been consulted. What is apparent from the comments we have received so far is that officers have a clear indication of the views the business community has towards this proposal.

"You may also be interested to know that both Cllr Lucioni and the Chair of Licensing have requested this consultation to allow the businesses their right of reply.’’