A PUB manager has expressed anger over a council crackdown on unlicensed A-boards after it was revealed that only six reports – and no official complaints – have been made.

As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council announced a crackdown on advertising boards, describing them as "clutter" in letters to five Grimsby businesses in September last year.

NELC said it was a response to "complaints" about the boards placed on footpaths.

However, a Freedom Of Information (FOI) request has since revealed that the council received no official complaints and only six reports of unlicensed A-boards.

Pete Smith, manager of The White Hart Bar And Kitchen, in Bethlehem Street, Grimsby, was sent a letter in August, saying the venue could be fined up to £2,500 unless he removed an unlicensed A-board from the pavement.

However, when he enquired about getting a licence – which are issued by NELC – Mr Smith claims he was told that the pub was "unlikely" to be granted one because of the narrow path outside the pub.

Mr Smith has now hung A-boards on the wall and added a large sign on the side of the building instead.

He complained that NELC had not done enough to help local businesses, and said the information revealed in the FOI supported his belief that the reasons for the crackdown were "unfounded".

"They said that the objections were based on complaints which I now know is not the case," he said.

"What I don't know is why the council is doing this if it is not for the reasons they initially said it is. Why are they not supporting local businesses?"

Jason Longhurst, head of development at North East Lincolnshire Council, said although there had been no official complaints, there were six reports – between January and September 2011 – of unlicensed A-boards, which led to the discovery of "several other boards".

But he said: "We can state with absolute certainty that complaints have been received, and we have been consistent in the way we have dealt with all the businesses."

NELC attempted to prosecute Winter Gardens Caterers Ltd for displaying A-boards without a licence at The Bank, in Bethlehem Street, Grimsby.

However, the owners of the pub claim that it has never been under the operation of the named company and the charges have now been dropped.

The council has said it cannot put a figure on how much the prosecution cost as it uses an in-house legal team, so is not directly charged for legal services.

What do you think?

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