Ladywell businesses protest pavement ban

Ladywell shop owners have been ordered by the Council to stop putting advertising boards, planters or tables outside their premises, in order that the newly-enlarged pavement can serve as a cycle lane. They're not happy. They write:

Ladywell businesses have been battling to survive the disruption caused by more than 13 months of streetworks. Thankfully these now appear to be coming to an end. But throughout this difficult time local traders fought hard to sustain viable businesses as fooftall fell sharply. At least two shopowners pulled out of the high street because of the difficulties they experienced. 

But it now comes as something of a shock to find that the council can now turn round and show complete indifference to the plight of local businesses. Business conditions remain tight and competition between Lewisham's smaller "town centres" intense. Advertising displays, planters with flowers, and tables outside the cafes remain, even in the age of Twitter and Facebook, essential tools in the promotion of small businesses. They also help make the high street a more interesting and welcoming destination in the neighbourhood. 

To deny small businesses recourse to this simple promotional tool in a far from benign business environment appears to us heavy handed. It suggests the council is out of touch and lacks an understanding of the difficulties facing small businesses like ours. 

Ladywell's small businesses are the lifeblood of the high street and provide important local employment. We urge the Mayor and his councillors  to consult with local businesses and rethink this blanket ban on A-boards and planters. 

If the measures hurt a fragile local business ecosystem, they should be reconsidered. There's no reason why cyclists should get priority over shoppers through the middle of this little town centre. The mayor and deputy mayor have agreed to come to Ladywell on Friday to discuss the issue.