ILKLEY councillors are to look in detail at alternatives to A-boards as Bradford Council tightens its ban on businesses putting their signs out on the streets.

Bradford Council introduced a 12-month ban on A-boards in Ilkley and several other town centres last month, and officers have issued yellow warning notices threatening a £200 charge for the return of any impounded signs on a number owned by Ilkley businesses.

The council went ahead with the ban despite strong opposition from Ilkley retailers and cafes that they will lose business as a result.

Ilkley Parish Council is now looking into alternative methods of allowing businesses situated off the main streets to advertise their services without falling foul of the A-boards ban.

Cllr Stephen Butler, who is also chairman of Ilkley Business Forum, told Monday's Ilkley Parish Council meeting that shopkeepers had been served with notices giving them ten days to remove the A-boards from the street.

"The local authority policy is to give support to shopkeepers in these times of need, but we've not seen much evidence of that support," he said.

He suggested costing out alternatives to A-boards and presenting these to the parish council.

At last month's meeting, it was suggested sign boards could be put up in prominent spots, such as close to the rail station, telling visitors where to find businesses in the town centre.

Business owners recently came up with their own suggestions for licensing of A-boards.

Cllr Susan Cuthbertson said businesses that have not been using A-boards may also want to have their details on any such combined advertising sign. She asked if shopkeepers would be prepared to contribute to the cost of any such initiative.

Cllr Butler said he would explore the options further.

But there has also been support for the A-board ban.

A town resident, who is registered blind, made his second visit to Ilkley Parish Council on Monday to thank Bradford Council for implementing the ban, and to those charities consulted that had supported the policy. He told councillors businesses would no longer risk alienating customers, who find them an obstruction on the pavements, and do not run the risk of being sued if a pedestrian trips over a board and is injured.

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