Douglas Borough Council is reminding traders in the town centre that from June 30 2017 it will no longer issue licences for A-boards and that any existing advertising boards will not be permitted to remain on the public highway in the Borough after that date.

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘June 30 will see the end of the littering of A-boards the length of the main shopping area. They are hazards for those with sight loss or use mobility aids, add nothing of value to the Council’s and its government partners’ investment in town centre regeneration and make it more difficult for our street cleansing teams.’

The Manx Blind Welfare Society’s chief executive Ian Cooil said: ‘The blind and partially sighted face barriers to their independence daily. A-boards are yet another obstacle which not only poses a very real safety risk to them but can also affect their confidence to go into the town centre on their own and be part of the community, so we applaud the action the Council is taking to ensure it’s easier for everyone to navigate the streets of Douglas.’

Councillor Christian continued: ‘The Council recognises that trading conditions are still challenging and is committed to supporting local businesses and growing the town’s economy. Douglas Town Centre Management, for example, is developing strong ties with local retailers, not least through the power of its Facebook page and the town centre events it organises throughout the year.  We are firmly of the opinion, though, that A-boards do not contribute to growth in retail activity or to the image of a capital working hard to project a positive, welcoming image to consumers, visitors and investors.’

Pavement café licences remain unaffected. To apply for a licence click here.