SCRAPPING advertising boards in Dorchester would be “detrimental” to people’s livelihoods, according to business owners.

‘A-boards’ are used by local businesses in Dorchester to attract customers but Dorset County Council (DCC) has said some people see them as a nuisance and some businesses are abusing them with two, three or even four for one store.

As reported in the Echo in April, a public consultation was held for people to have their say on the issue. More than 600 people responded.

The county council is responsible for making sure the county’s roads and pavements are safe in its role as highway authority.

DCC’s current policy on the boards is that they must be in good condition, within a set size and keep the pavement clear for pedestrians and only enforces this when there is a safety issue.

Speaking at a meeting of Dorchester BID, Jack Daniels, community highway officer at DCC, said: “The results from the consultation show that 60 per cent said there were too many in the town; 54.9 per cent said they had no effect and 63 per cent said they didn’t support the issue being left as it is. 48 per cent had a zero tolerance and said get rid of them.

“There county council policy states one board per business, which we haven’t been enforcing - 45 per cent said they don’t support that policy.”

Cllr Molly Rennie attended the meeting and said this was a matter that had come up “time and time again”. She also raised her concern of A-boards being a hazard to older people, the blind and families with pushchairs.

Phil Gordon, project director at the BID, said: “I don’t think anyone would take the A-boards away until another option had been agreed.”

Business owners argued that shops on South Street are doing well and have no need for A-boards due to the constant flow of traffic but it is areas like Durngate Street that will suffer if A-boards are scrapped.

One business owner said: “A-boards do work. Getting rid of A-boards in Dorchester would be detrimental to businesses and to our livelihoods.”

Over the consultation period Mr Daniels said around 100 A-boards were counted on South Street.

Chairman of Dorchester BID, John Fiori, said: “I agree with A-boards and I think they are great for a business. A-boards are vital for this town and for small individual businesses.”

The Dorchester BID have agreed to set up a meeting with all its levy payers to discuss a way forward.