Peacemakers at Wellington Town Council are to help resolve a row over on-street displays in a bid to keep trade flourishing in the town.

The town council will now write to Telford & Wrekin Council calling for clarification over a ban on traders displaying their goods in New Street, which is pedestrianised.

Telford & Wrekin Council sent a letter to traders saying that on-street displays must be removed or they could face a £1,000 fine.

They were told they had until January 9 to comply.

Borough Councillor Shaun Davies said the council took action because there were displays ‘which were considered as being dangerous to pedestrians’.

He added: “The council is considering the introduction of an application process to allow traders to apply to put items outside the frontages of their businesses but such an application process would still need to allow for the amount and location of items.

“This proposal forms part of the council’s budget that is currently being consulted upon.”

Howard Perkins, clerk at Wellington Town Council, said: “The council will be writing to Telford & Wrekin asking them to clarify the position and how this problem can be resolved as quickly as possible, preferably with a timescale which will be of benefit to the traders.

“Wellington Town Council does support a cafe culture in the town but it could give rise to uncontrolled commercial activity on the streets which does need regulation.”

Councillor Miles Hosken, who brought up the problems facing traders at a meeting of Wellington Town Council this week, said: “This has come about because people got upset about some traders putting too much produce over the street.

“The shopkeepers need to use common sense that they cannot sprawl all over the street and push their luck.”

However he said it was ‘nonsense’ to impose an on-street display ban in a town that is ‘on a downward turn’.

He added: “Wellington has been intolerably raped of its good quality shops.”

See also:

• Wellington traders forced to remove displays
• Leader: Set out your stall and face a hefty fine