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Li Dash holds a sign for a Chinese restaurant |
Shoppers’ lend support to the West End’s sandwich boards
SHOPPERS are backing the hardy sandwich board men on Oxford Street after hearing of Town Hall plans to “declutter” the West End.
Since local authorities were granted new powers the ban has become enforceable if Westminster City Council can prove the hand-held adverts are a health and safety hazard.
Visitors have come to expect to see the placard carriers, who first appeared in the early 19th century, lining West End streets.
Mike Lowry, 22, a student at King’s College, saw the move as similar to the case of the “don’t be a sinner” street preacher Philip Howard who has been absent from Oxford Street since the council applied for an anti-social behaviour order against him in 2006.
He said: “Everyone knew him and everyone expects to see the placards when they come here.”
Ronnie McMahon, 22, who lives in Camden High Street added: “It’s health and safety gone mad.”
A city council spokesman promised public consultation once the plans for the ban have been finalised. |
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