Did you notice anything different about our old city today?
No neither did we.
York’s city centre A-board ban came in on Wednesday (February 1), not that you would notice.
As of today, City of York Council has outlawed all A-boards and related pavement signs within the inner ring road.
The only exception is Micklegate, although businesses still need a licence from the council in order to place an A-board in the street.
But take a brief stroll round the streets and you still encounter dozens of the boards as many businesses flouted the ban.
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The council decided to implement the A-board ban last August. It came into effect after a four-month transition period.
Brought in after increasing concern about the obstruction caused by proliferating boards, the policy bans all A-boards (and other advertising materials) on the public highway in the city centre for a year initially.
Many retailers and cafe owners were against the ban, saying it would damage their business. A number of alternatives to A-boards have been put forward, including a new city approved wall-mounted board.
Cllr Ian Gillies, executive member for transport and planning, said:
We also need to ensure support is provided to help find alternative methods of advertising and that all relevant bodies continue to be consulted throughout this time.
And what about poor wheelchair users who can’t get passed due to A boards been carelessly placed? Think that’s totally selfish if I’m honest …