MADAM, 

The issue of street furniture in Church Street first arose when I was a town councillor and concern was raised about safety for the visually impaired. This led to a voluntary agreement to site A boards, produce, cafe chairs etc close to the shop where the pavement is wide enough for pedestrians to pass.

The new rules hit the independent traders in Church Street particularly hard. Church Street is the heart of heritage Monmouth and an asset to both residents and visitors. For this to continue, the street needs to keep the kind of friendly businesses whose activities extend beyond their doors.

All small businesses are already suffering from the business rate increases and to impose further charges on them will drive some away. The traders have always had to carry third party liability insurance and have always been open to prosecution if their actions cause injury. Until this year, this has always been enough to satisfy the authorities so MCC’s current concerns are clearly part of a cash raising exercise that unfairly targets the small traders.

Bethia Smith

(Monmouth)