MADAM,

Traders in Monmouth should not jump to premature conclusions about a licence fee where the figure quoted in the Beacon is for the maximum area permitted.

In January this year Monmouthshire County Council reduced the proposed license fees by half to appease the traders and this seems very generous compared with the fees payable in other towns. The alternative might have been to increase the business rates further for all traders which seems unfair for the vast majority who don’t require space outside their premises.

Pavements are classed as part of the highway and are intended for the safety of pedestrians. County councils have a legal duty to see they are kept safe and clear for such a purpose otherwise they leave themselves open to prosecution. Regarding Church Street, the central gully is deemed to be the edge of a pavement and an unobstructed space of at least 1.5 metres should be maintained at each side of the gully. This is for a reason. If one trader is allowed to extend as far as the gully then all traders would be entitled to the same privilege. If this was allowed Church Street would become blocked and emergency services would be delayed in gaining access to say a fire in the Savoy Theatre or other premises.

The stark reality is that Monmouth traders have in effect been allowed to break the law for too long and MCC has allowed this to happen, turning Monmouth into an obstacle course and hazardous place for shoppers.

Traders would be wise to re-examine the feasibility of their businesses with a view to modern trends, their location with regard to their competitors and perhaps collectively channel their energies into securing fairer rents for business premises rather than having to rely on free use of public spaces to make ends meet.

If vibrancy in the town is the aim they may wish to reconsider their opposition to either pedestrianising or introducing shared space in Monnow Street in light of the number of local people now preferring the less stressful but more vibrant experience of shopping in such layouts in Abergavenny and Hereford.

Angela Hoyle

(Monmouth)