MORE businesses on Maldon High Street are being hit in the pocket following the District Council ban on advertising boards.

In March, The Standard reported that several High Street businesses noticed dwindling customers following Maldon District Council requesting removal of a-boards from the street in November 2015.

The Spa in the King’s Head and Lottie and Jake’s cakes were among those in uproar, but now other businesses further down the street have expressed similar frustration.

Suzie Pugh, owner of Suzie’s Gift and Tea Shop, moved two doors down from her original gift shop in March to branch out into a café, says some people never even knew she had moved.

She said: “People on the high street really rely on those signs being out as they can see from afar if shops and cafes like us are open.

“The fact that we’re lower down the high street means that people will often look for it, and if they don’t see any sign they assume we’re closed and don’t come down.”

Pete Donovan, who manages TDR Computers just off the High Street, claims they meet some local people who have never even heard of them.

He said: “Whilst our current business is generally doing fine, the shop has been here 15 years and we have had some people say they have never known that we’re here or even heard of our name.

“Because we’re a bit tucked away from the rest of the street we rely on signage to be displayed in a place where public up the High Street can see us.

“It’s much better than someone driving along the street just looking around and possibly missing our turning.”

When the council handed out the warning letters in November, they additionally stipulated that no advertising boards could be placed over bollards as they were deemed a ‘health hazard’.

Suzie added: “It would have been nice for them to offer an alternative means for advertising ourselves, but there hasn’t been any guidance or suggestions given to us.”

Pete added: “The pavement is very wide, and having one a-board there in front of where we are doesn’t affect people walking along at all.

“The majority of people who do come in here are normally on routine and know who we are before, we’re seeing considerably less new faces since we were asked to bring the board in.”

In March the council stated it would review its position on advertising boards after Easter.

A spokesperson this week said: “This review is on-going and a-boards are monitored regularly.”