LETTERS are going out to the York city centre businesses which will be hit by a new ban on A-boards.

Councillors agreed last month to stop shops and cafes putting the advertising boards out on pavements in the city centre, saying they wanted to make the streets more accessible to people with mobility or sight problems.

The decision attracted criticism, especially from small business owners, who said attracting customers and trade was already hard enough. The ban applies to streets inside the city walls and a few others, like Gillygate, but there is an exception for Micklegate where businesses can apply for permits to display their boards.

From today, all those which are affected will be sent information about the rules, which come into play in February.

Council planning and transport boss Cllr Ian Gillies said: “We hope that by contacting businesses and retailers well in advance of this new policy it will allow plenty of time for them to consider any alternative advertising measures before February.”

Meetings will be arranged to make sure the rules are properly understood, he added, and so alternatives like shared advertising boards can be organised.

Information is also at www.york.gov.uk/aboards or by emailing aboards@york.gov.uk