COLCHESTER Council bosses have angered shop owners by forcing them to remove display stands from outside stores.

Shops in North Station Road in Colchester were visited by council officials on Monday and were told to take the stands off the street.

But Ruben Krishnapillai, who owns the Premier Express shop, said the stands are vital.

He said: “People who are passing by see the stands and know the store is open.

“They bring people into the shop and if they get taken away it will really hurt us.”

Mr Krishnapillai said he had not had any previous warnings or problems with the stands before.

Elsewhere in the town centre, florists Dilly at Abbotts in Crouch Street, Colchester, say they have also be told they must remove their pavement display.

Jo Dilworth said: “How can you possibly have a flower shop without a display?

“The council is punishing everyone because they can’t be bothered to tell a few businesses to not spread their signs all over the pavement.”

Colchester Council’s crackdown comes after an order last month told businesses to remove A boards from pavements.

The Town Centre Public Space Protection Order includes the town centre and North Station Road is included in the area.

But Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell said it shouldn’t be included.

He said: “The stands are against the building and it’s a wide pavement so they aren’t in the way.

“The council’s attitude is a disgrace. They shouldn’t hinder businesses with petty officialdom.”

He added: “You have a council litter bin further along the road, which is in the way, and a cafe which can have tables outside so it’s a huge contradiction.”

Mike Lilley, the council’s portfolio holder for public safety and licensing, said the council wanted to work with shops.

He said: “This means instructing and advising businesses to avoid breaching restrictions. It also means we apply the rules fairly and consistently across the restricted area. The PSPO is not, and never has been, an attempt to stifle free enterprise.”