By Sarah Woods Richmond and Twickenham Times - UK
CALLS for small local businesses to receive a graffiti clean up service for free have been turned down by Tony Arbour, Richmond upon Thames Council's leader.
A law is to be introduced by central government whereby councils will have the power to go in and remove graffiti from shops and businesses and subsequently charge the owner.
Richmond council are offering traders a chance to pay £120 per year to entitle them to have the graffiti removed whenever it appears.
At a meeting last week leader of the borough Lib Dems Cllr Serge Lourie asked Cllr Arbour if he would consider allowing this service for free for small businesses but this was refused.
Cllr Lourie said: "Many businesses have said they don't agree with the charge and most of the graffiti in Kew is on shop fronts and local businesses. We will continue to campaign for this."
Whitton town centre manager, Sonia Francis, wholeheartedly supports the idea that commercial premises should not be charged and that this is a service that should be given to help small independent businesses.
She said: "Trading in small local towns is harder than ever and this is something they need help towards.
"Graffiti contributes towards anti-social behaviour which they need to try and reduce. The council have got the team there and I think it should be free."
After Cllr Lourie mentioned that it is hard enough for businesses to survive with their high rates, Cllr Arbour remarked that these costs are not set by the council.
The leader said: "He (Cllr Serge Lourie) suggested that small businesses were incredibly poor and therefore they should get these benefits.
"But we don't believe that businesses that are prosperous should be getting the same benefits as those in a marginal financial position.
"What we would want is small businesses to sign up to our scheme."