Topic ID 6947
I've just return from a walk along Maidenhead Street and was struck by the number of sandwich boards dotted along the street. In particular outside Emilio's coffee shop where, in addition to an empty table and chairs on the path, there are three boards strung out to the centre of the street like a rugby back line. Of course while these are an obstruction it's not too much trouble to divert around, I was mildly miffed enough to have a polite word with the owner. It's a tricky task giving unwelcome feedback however tactfully the attempt without one or other party taking it personally and truning the event in to a confrontation. To his credit the owner was politely defensive and excused it as a practise he inherited from the previous owners but seemed determined not to accept the point. Who knows, perhaps with a little time to reflect and without a busybody in his face telling him how to run his business he may come to agree. Now of it could be me being over sensitive, so before I mention it to a councillor I thought gauge local opinion on here: does any one else think three boards and a table and chairs is at least two boards too many?
Reply ID 91759
I must admit I had the same thought on the table and chairs, whilst I understand that shops need to do all the can to encourage people in I felt they may be a hazard to people with bad eyesight as it is quite tight with the barrier. Having said that he is not alone there are/ were a lot of the sandwich boards further down the street near Honey Lane and a number of shops display wares on the pavement at various sites round the town which I think is not strictly allowed so if you stop one you have to stop them all. I seem to remember they did have crackdown a few years ago when Wiggintons were by the library and told to take all their stuff in.
Reply ID 91762
Totally agree with you, Maidenhead Street has become a dumping ground for so many of these wretched boards. Saturdays especially when the market stalls are there it is often difficult to walk along the street without being barged by shopping bags or umbrellas when the owners try to avoid the proliference of such boards. They should all be banned and removed! Whats more they spoil what could otherwise be a reasonably attractive area if one ignores the empty shops.
Reply ID 91763
Well that is the front page for the Mercury sorted!! Oh...they make really good coffee and paninis, I would mention the freshly baked almond croisants but make sure you leave one for me!
Reply ID 91764
quote:You'll get nowhere. I recall a few years ago someone complained about the same thing and got pilloried in the local press. What did the Council do. Nothing.
Originally posted by jasmine98
Totally agree with you, Maidenhead Street has become a dumping ground for so many of these wretched boards. Saturdays especially when the market stalls are there it is often difficult to walk along the street without being barged by shopping bags or umbrellas when the owners try to avoid the proliference of such boards. They should all be banned and removed! Whats more they spoil what could otherwise be a reasonably attractive area if one ignores the empty shops.
Reply ID 91765
quote:Yup - I was just going to walk through them - literally - but a twinge of 'can I be bothered with the confrontation' stopped me. And it probably has the opposite effect of bringing customers into the shop as people are forced over to the other side of the street away from the entrance.
Originally posted by Enoughofthat
In particular outside Emilio's coffee shop where, in addition to an empty table and chairs on the path, there are three boards strung out to the centre of the street like a rugby back line...
Reply ID 91766
I would suggest you contact the council. Dacorum council successfully launched an attack on sandwich boards requiring all businesses to remove them unless it was on their own land. I have to say that in my opinion, Berkhamsted high Street now looks much better, even though I had to remove my own board. Pasrliament Square looks very scruffy with all the boards littered around. But of course Buzz knows best!
Reply ID 91767
quote:Probably best to send in a PCSO [:o)]
Originally posted by buzz You'll get nowhere. I recall a few years ago someone complained about the same thing and got pilloried in the local press. What did the Council do. Nothing.
Reply ID 91768
My bugbear is how far out Cafe Nero put their tables and chairs! What with the fixed street furniture and the greengrocer stall during the week, and all the other stalls on Saturdays it's sometimes impossible to get down Railway St. When you do, you face more sandwich boards!
Reply ID 91770
quote:The whole issue of A boards and traders spilling out in to the street was covered in some detail a few years back when a member of the public complained to the local council. There was some discussion about it both in the local press and on this forum. http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=1418
Originally posted by Mosquito
I would suggest you contact the council.
Reply ID 91772
Having gone back to that old thread it would seem there was some sort of licencing to be introduced to allow shops to do it with permission and presumably there was some sort of limit on what was allowed? Did this happen and if so is it enforced or are we just back to square one and whilst no one wants a complete ban as this would possibly cause more shop closures that no one wants there should be some sort of limit so that it does not prove to be a hazard to those using the pavements. There are a number of places around town where elderly people do have difficulty getting past with walking trolleys and mobility scooters. I would think that anyone with poor vision could well hit something in a few places as well!
Reply ID 91773
The assumptions in that original thread that the complainer was the only person annoyed by the boards is interesting. The majority opinion is always hardest to assess, since the majority rarely protests. Mostly people follow consensus opinion. Consequently we have the contrast of the original thread and this one.
Reply ID 91774
I think it has got worse though since that original thread, more coffee shops with tables and boards etc and as someone else said give some people and inch and they take a mile. Presumably the licencing either didn't happen or is not enforced.
Reply ID 91777
This is the scene this morning http://8xpybv.pen.io/ Judging from the general sense of annoyance, adopting such passive-aggressive marketing tactics is counterproductive to Emilio's business; deterring and alienating customers rather than attracting them. Perhaps a wiser retailer can do Emilio a favour and pass on some business nouse. Roddy would do well to listen in.
Reply ID 91778
quote:Perhaps it is a physical barricade between the wash and the establishments beyond and not an advertisement at all. [:D]
Originally posted by Enoughofthat
This is the scene this morning http://8xpybv.pen.io/ Judging from the general sense of annoyance, adopting such passive-aggressive marketing tactics is counterproductive to Emilio's business; deterring and alienating customers rather than attracting them. Perhaps a wiser retailer can do Emilio a favour and pass on some business nouse. Roddy would do well to listen in.
Reply ID 91779
The table and chairs seem to have gone......but then I suppose it was rather wet!
Reply ID 91781
For those on twitter perhaps cut, paste and tweet the following: Too many sandwiches at Hertford Cafe?http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=6947 … @peterruffles @janesartin @Ma_mccormick @isabelsigmac pic.twitter.com/Yhwi3KtM
Reply ID 91782
Whilst I agree that the proliferation of A boards is an ugly, unsightly addition to our streets, there is a potential benefit in Maidenhead Street in that it may restrict the flow of traffic down there. Given that it is restricted to deliveries and disabled only, travelling from the Wash down to Bull Plain, there seems to be a lot of traffic using the street these days. Regarding street furniture in general, it's not too long ago that people were wishing for a cafe culture in this country, similar to that found in continental Europe. Tables and chairs on the pavements are all part of that and I think it has added to Hertford's character to have that option from our cafes and coffee shops.
Reply ID 91787
Peter Ruffles has seen the twitter link!
Reply ID 91789
Have to agree that it is a nightmare trying to navigate through the A boards. I'm never sure where or what business guru ever said that A boards drummed up more business. If as it seems they are seen as obstructions then it clearly is a disincentive to give the owners any business.
Reply ID 91812
Comment removed because it does not comply with the house rules
Reply ID 91813
quote:Is this really a problem?
Originally posted by Enoughofthat
This is the scene this morning http://8xpybv.pen.io/ Judging from the general sense of annoyance, adopting such passive-aggressive marketing tactics is counterproductive to Emilio's business; deterring and alienating customers rather than attracting them. Perhaps a wiser retailer can do Emilio a favour and pass on some business nouse. Roddy would do well to listen in.
Reply ID 91866
quote:How many more would it take for you to feel that it was? [:)]
Originally posted by Ewoowar Is this really a problem?
Reply ID 92040
quote:I would like to thank the Hertford Forum for bringing to my attention the inconvenience some people have felt regarding my advertising boards outside Emilio's Deli in Maidenhead street, along with the gentleman that came in and brought it to my attention. I would like to thank the contributors for writing in expressing their views, of which I have read and really do appreciate Feedback whether it be Positive or negative. As a new Deli business in the town centre, the last thing I want to do is offend or inconvenience anyone especially those customers that bring valued business into the town and shops. I have re-arranged the boards outside and hope in future these wont be a problem. Thank you once again...... Emilio x
Originally posted by Enoughofthat
I've just return from a walk along Maidenhead Street and was struck by the number of sandwich boards dotted along the street. In particular outside Emilio's coffee shop where, in addition to an empty table and chairs on the path, there are three boards strung out to the centre of the street like a rugby back line. Of course while these are an obstruction it's not too much trouble to divert around, I was mildly miffed enough to have a polite word with the owner. It's a tricky task giving unwelcome feedback however tactfully the attempt without one or other party taking it personally and truning the event in to a confrontation. To his credit the owner was politely defensive and excused it as a practise he inherited from the previous owners but seemed determined not to accept the point. Who knows, perhaps with a little time to reflect and without a busybody in his face telling him how to run his business he may come to agree. Now of it could be me being over sensitive, so before I mention it to a councillor I thought gauge local opinion on here: does any one else think three boards and a table and chairs is at least two boards too many?
Reply ID 92052
Thanks are due to Emilio for his example of care and thoughtfulness by considering and accommodating the views of passers-by. I'm sure he applies the same the same priciples to his business and therefore must be worth a visit.
Reply ID 92054
I can recommend the coffee - top quality!
Reply ID 92059
quote:It "certainilly" is - cakes are nice too and it is good to have another alternative to Costanerobucks.
Originally posted by CityBird
I can recommend the coffee - top quality!
Reply ID 92204
Allow me to test the wind of public opinion again, would anyone like to express an opinion on the scene today http://0czsby.pen.io/ My view is that this is not a meaningful improvement. I passed by last week and thought I saw only the Illy sign and one sandwich board which seemed a reasonabl;e compromise. Today there are a total of three baords and banner lashed to the gate. Personally. I'm not fussed about the banner, although others may differ. For me it is the, now odviously, deliberate positioning of the signs intended to create an obstruction. If it's just me I'll let the matter drop but if others agree then I'll raise it again.
Reply ID 92205
To me this doesn't seem a huge problem, but if they're doing it on market days then that could be considered inconsiderate. Emilio's though isn't the worst offender. For me it's Fingertips on Fore St who leave their sign as well as bin bags in amongst the bike racks outside their shop. Given that Hertford businesses' favourite gripe is lack of on street parking, they're not really helping the cause by preventing potential customers park outside their own shop.
Reply ID 92206
quote:Haven't you just done that? [:)]
Originally posted by Enoughofthat [Personally. I'm not fussed about the banner, although others may differ. For me it is the, now odviously, deliberate positioning of the signs intended to create an obstruction. If it's just me I'll let the matter drop but if others agree then I'll raise it again.