A VINTAGE-shop owner has said she is dumbfounded over the Council's order for her to remove a pram from outside her business.

Proprietors of Saltaire Vintage Shop, in Victoria Road, have been told a vintage coach built pram to advertise the premises outside the shop must go as it is an offence.

But the Council has insisted pavements be kept uncluttered for safety purposes even though a temporary trial ban on A-boards and shop displays has expired.

"The world has gone mad," said Lesley Barrett, who runs the vintage shop with colleague Melanie Boycott.

"The pavement outside is reasonably wide and the pram was not causing an obstruction. There is a disabled man who passes by at least twice a day and he has never had a problem or crashed into it.

"The pram belongs to a friend of mine and was placed there to help draw attention to the shop. Lots of people have commented on how lovely it is and how you don't see many built like that any more.

"But now the Council has told me it has to be go as a pram parked all day on the pavement is an offence so we have taken it away.

"What about ordinary prams that are left outside on pavements. Does that mean they are illegally parked too," she added.

"Lots of little businesses in Saltaire need as much help as they can get to draw customers. Lots of people who come into the village are visitors and unless there is a way of catching their eye to let them know shops are there they often don't see them and head straight to places like Salts Mill.

"Many visitors have no idea of how many small shops and businesses there are unless they physically walk up and down each street.

"The Council is not helping traders at all and businesses are struggling. By forcing people to remove A-boards and other advertising methods means we are not as visible to people walking around the village.

"I appreciate the dangers some can pose, but the man who comes past each day on his scooter has never had a problem. I sometimes think fixed street furniture like lamppost are more of a hazard."

Councillor Hawarun Hussain (Green Party, Shipley) said: "The A-boards and other similar street furniture, has been consulted on and scrutinised by the council as they are often seen as obstruction for the visually impaired/disabled/people with children in push chairs, and inconsiderate use by some businesses can cause residents onto the highway.

"I do appreciate that most business use A-boards in a considerate manner and this help to maintain the viability of their business, but once a policy has been written and adopted by the council to deal with the ‘few’, it unfortunately covers all.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, added: “The 12 month trial ban on A-boards and shop displays expired in January which means the former policy is now back in force. This means A-boards must abut premises and not cause any obstruction.

“It’s really important we keep paths clear and accessible for everyone including parents with prams, people with disabilities and those with sight problems.

“The Executive will be looking at whether to resume the ban when it meets on March 7 and what area any ban would cover.”

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