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NEWS
THE SENTINEL Monday August 15, 2011
SEN-eO1-S2 [P]
£85k grant to help restore old warehouse
ON MONDAY NEWS
PAGE 5: Tesco sorry as baby given wrong drug dosage
SPORT
BACK PAGE: Potters’ spirit sets benchmark, insists Pulis
COMMENT
SMART MOVE: The horse-riding grand-daughter of circus legend Billy Smart is back thrilling Staffordshire audiences for the first time in three decades. Yasmine Smart is one of the
stars of Zippo’s Circus which opened in the Big Top at Trentham Gardens on Saturday – and continues until tomorrow. Yasmine is well known throughout Europe and America.
But she is making her first visit to the area since she was here with the old Billy Smart’s Circus in 1971. A death-defying motorcyclist, trapeze artists and clowns are other highlights.
Nine-year-old Aiden CarterCampbell, of Joiners Square, enjoyed Saturday’s show. He is pictured with circus performer Roman the clown. Picture: Wesley Webster
A-boards would need licence under council scheme PAGE 10: Did Spitfire designer really drive a Roller?
LETTERS
Shops could face a levy on advertising BY ALEX CAMPBELL alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk
PAGES 8&9: Riots – ‘The worm turned many years ago’
BUSINESS
PAGE 25: New lease of life for former chapel
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BUSINESSES could be charged for displaying goods outside their shops or using advertising boards. More than 500 businesses in Stoke-onTrent are to be contacted by the city council on proposals to license all commercial property left on pavements and highways – including A-boards outside newsagents and sandwich shops. The measure may effectively legalise ‘fly-posting’, the placement of posters on lampposts, for all businesses which successfully apply and pay for a license. But it could mean supermarkets, newsagents and business owners are repeatedly hit with £80 fines if they continue to display boards they already have without obtaining a licence. Businesses displaying goods for sale on pavements outside stores such as shoe shops and florists could also be targeted over concerns they are blocking the route of disabled shoppers. The city council is considering two alternative proposals – enforcing a citywide ban on all ads on public property or drawing up a voluntary ‘code of practice’. But it has tabled the licensing scheme as its “preferred option” and said “doing nothing is not an option.”
PLANS: Changes could be made to effectively legalise ‘flyposting’. A spokesman said: “Some consider these items unsightly, unsafe, a nuisance and portraying a poor image of our city, whereas others consider them a positive contribution to the street scene, helping retailers and shoppers. “Traditionally, although we could stop these items being put on the highway, we have tolerated them, but because they are now more popular we are receiving more complaints.” The council says it has identified 500 businesses affected by the proposals, all of which will be contacted for their views, as well as 40 other organisations. Car salesman John Munro is involved in a dispute with the council after being hit with an £80 fly-posting fine more than four years after he put a poster on a lamppost in Festival Park. Mr Munro, pictured left, said he would be happy to pay a fee if the council then allocated a post on
which he could advertise. He said he would pay up to £100 for a year’s permit. If all 500 affected businesses paid the same amount, the council could net £50,000 a year. He added: “If I was paying, I’d expect them to be tougher on non-payers. “If I could advertise on a post just around the corner I would be happy to pay. You get nothing for nothing. All I’m trying to do is enhance the business. “I would be more than happy to pay and, with the cuts, the council making any revenue is all the better.” Sharaine Gibson runs Bargain Booze on Joyce Avenue, Bradley. She said: “We have two A-boards and the newsagent’s has its own, but I’ll be interested in whether we have to pay as they’re on the landlord’s property. “We might consider advertising where we are on a lamppost, but it would depend on the cost.” Janine Bridges, cabinet member for city services, said: “In its current form, fly-posting of business adverts can have detrimental effects on the way our city looks and can also pose a real danger to people, particularly disabled residents. “But we fully understand that in the current economic climate businesses are struggling, and we want to offer support to ensure our economy thrives. “I’m urging as many businesses and groups as possible to contribute their views on the options put forward.”
What do you think? Email us at letters@
thesentinel.co.uk
A DERELICT town centre building is set to be transformed thanks to an £85,000 grant. Work is under way to spruce up the external appearance of the former Mellards Warehouse in Newcastle after the cash handout from Newcastle Borough Council and English Heritage. Property owner William Mercer will pay the remaining £65,000 to replace the dilapidated roof, windows and doors, improve the brickwork and restore architectural features on the building. Mr Mercer, from Keele, has previously won planning permission to turn the Market Lane building into offices and a café. He said: “I purchased the warehouse in 2009 with the intention of rescuing this landmark building from ruin. “It’s an excellent piece of Victorian architecture and will only add value to the conservation area when refurbished.” Mellards, founded by William Mellard, was one of nine ironmongers in Newcastle during the late 19th century, but the property has stood empty for years. The money has come from the Partnership Conservation Area Grant Scheme funded by the council and English Heritage. They are offering grants of up to 50 per cent for the cost of repairs to historic buildings and up to 60 per cent for reinstating traditional features in Newcastle’s town centre conservation area until 2013.
Public toilet to remain open A PUBLIC toilet in Stone has been saved from closure. Stafford Borough Council decided to close public toilets in Station Road as part of cost-cutting plans. The loo was due to be closed on September 1, but Stone Town Council has stepped in and agreed to manage the toilets for a year. Town councillors have described the Station Road facility as “vital” as there are no other toilet facilities in the immediate area. Additional public toilets in Crown Street will continue to be run by Stafford Borough Council. A spokesman for the council said: “The borough council resolved to close the Station Road toilets but keep open the ones on Crown Street.”
Photography group again bring their work out into the light A GROUP set up to promote photography is to showcase the work of members in an exhibition. All the pictures have been taken by members of the Photographers’ Collective North Staffordshire which was formed two years ago. Tonight, the group will host a members-only showing at the gallery
in the Burslem School of Art in Queen Street. The show opens to the public tomorrow and will run until August 30. It can be viewed when the School of Art is open, which is weekdays between 9.30am and 6pm. Members who have their work on show are Eleanor Babb, Heidi Crabbe, Nicola Gater, Tony Jones, Penny
Vincent and John Webbe. Penny, aged 41, of Bradwell has four prints in the exhibition. She became interested in photography as a youngster when her dad bought her a camera. Penny, who works at Staffordshire University, said: “We have had a members’ exhibition each year since
we started in 2009. We exist to promote active photography in North Staffs. The exhibition is called All About Light and the theme is ‘light’. My pictures are all reflections.” The group is open to new members. To find out more, search Facebook for ‘Photographers’ Collective North Staffordshire’.