Café owner fined £700 for fly-posting

A LLANELLI café owner has been fined a total of £700 for fly-posting offences.

Tracy Webb, aged 33, who runs Whispers Cafe in Swansea Road, Llanelli, was convicted of five separate offences under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

As well as being fined £140 for each offence, she was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,158 following a trial at Carmarthen Magistrates Court.

Now the council is hoping the case will act as a warning to other businesses across the county.

Any business caught putting up illegal signs will be prosecuted.

The court heard that Webb had been issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 by environmental enforcement officers but not only did she fail to pay it, but she continued to put up the sign advertising her business.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said fly-posting was a criminal offence and would not be tolerated.

He added: “Fly-posting is displaying adverts and other promotional materials without permission, for example, on buildings, lampposts, railings and litter bins, mainly by business that want free advertising.

“Not only does it make an area look untidy but if not removed the posters slowly rot, becoming even more unsightly and causing litter. They also have the potential to distract motorists causing road traffic collisions.”

The council’s fly-posting policy does have exceptions for some not-for-profit organisations, community groups and registered charities subject to certain terms and conditions. For further information on the policy visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.