Pubs fear loss of business over council A-board row

Licensees in rural Sussex fear their businesses could go under because their local council has moved to banish road signs advertising their pubs.

They say the signs situated on the grass verge of A-roads were directing drivers to their premises for homemade food and special promotions - and removing them will severely damage their business.

A sign advertising the George in Frant, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was taken down last week following complaints from a local resident. But Paul Vallis, who runs the nearby Abergavenny Arms Hotel, told The Publican he was refusing to take down his own sign.

"We have had our A-boards up for 14 months," he said. "The boards advertise that our food is home-made and they let people know about our special promotions such as Valentine's Day and bed and breakfast rates at our hotel. These boards provide a lot of business for our hotel.

"The council is just being pedantic - the boards aren't even causing an obstruction as they're mounted on a grass verge."

Tony King, who runs the George, removed his board last Monday. He said: "The Highways Agency has told us to remove the boards. I can't see why there are any problems with them as they are situated on the grass verge. What harm are they doing to anyone?

"We're situated off the beaten track so these boards generate a lot of business for us.

"We advertise that we are serving homemade food and fine drink and ales, and a considerable number of customers come into the pub each week because they have seen the boards and are looking for somewhere to stop and have a bite to eat. Rural pubs depend on this free advertising to keep afloat."

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council told The Publican: " The county council tries to be lenient about advertising A-boards on pavements and verges, however, under the Highway Act 1980, the council has to take action if a complaint is received about an advertising board which is causing an obstruction or is in a dangerous place.

"With regards to the two boards in Frant next to the A267, the council has received complaints from a district councillor via Frant Parish Council and has had to take action and instructed that these boards be removed.

"The pavements and grass verges are part of the highway and therefore if an accident was caused because of the boards, the council could be liable."