A branch which was holding a charity coffee morning for Macmillan advertised the event on a temporary pavement sign right outside its door – and was fined £100.
Connells branch manager Lee Hassan was so upset that he put up a tweet saying Chelmsford City Council’s action had been appalling, and using the hashtags “have a heart” and “disgusting”.
A spokesman for the council said: “The Public Space Protection Order relating to the advertising boards is in place to reduce the impact of such boards on the pedestrians, residents and visitors using the footpaths, especially for those who are visually impaired or disabled.
“Unfortunately, exemptions cannot be made for charities or charitable purposes as it is the advertising board that is the problem not the advert. All businesses within the city centre are fully aware of the Public Space Protection Order.”
A Connells spokesperson told EYE: “Connells of course abides by the Public Space Protection Order as set out by Chelmsford City Council.
“The temporary placement of the board outside the premises was an isolated error which will not be repeated and was simply driven, on this occasion, by good intentions from the branch team to raise money for charity.”
The tweet, now apparently removed, had a photo showing the pavement sign with a modestly sized paper invitation attached to it. The tweet said:
“@macmillancancer @ChelmsCouncil @ChelmsfordTimes so we got a fine for advertising outside our office £100 #haveaheart#disgusting
Comments (4)
Firstly – this is Local Authority ‘jobsworth’ mentality at its abysmal pinnacle. They should be made to reverse the decision and double the figure to the charity as an apology for their idiocy.
Secondly – I know that this is slightly off-topic – but has anyone else noted that the Branch Manager was until recently an LPE with our pals in Purple?
Wonder why he walked away from “the future of Estate Agency” and returned to an apparently unneccessary office environment position?
He wants to change his background pic on LinkedIn – just saying.
Not so sure his recent “like” of a story about saving the public from “commisery” was such a good idea either!
Ask the council where they would spend the £100…
The money raised at these events are put to good use, councils can’t always say the same.
Surely just a warning would have sufficed… after all organisations like the ASA use their discretion when it suits, why not local councils… #justsaying
Disgusting.
Sorry, what was wrong with the Council having a word first? assuming it had to be witnessed by council employee in order for fine to be actioned
Councils gathering easy money whilst delivering pot holed roads, dirty pavements, poor services and monstrously overpaid Chief Executives