Before You Buy an A-Board: What Local Shops Should Check

An A-board can bring customers in from the street, but a sign on a public footway is not automatically allowed. This is a general guide rather than legal advice, and rules differ between councils, so please check with yours before you put one out.

Why permission matters

The pavement is usually part of the public highway. Placing an object on it, including an A-board, can count as an obstruction, and the council can ask you to remove it. Some councils issue licences or set conditions, while others have banned A-boards from certain streets. Signs on your own forecourt are different, but they may still be subject to advertising rules.

Things councils often look at

Exact conditions vary, but they commonly include:

• Clear width. Enough pavement must be left for people to walk past, including wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• Position. It should be close to your shop front and not near a junction, a crossing or a bus stop.
• Number. Usually one sign per premises.
• Size. Often a maximum height and width.
• Stability. It must be stable in wind, but not fixed to the ground.
• Hours. Bring it in when your shop is closed.
• Insurance. You may need public liability cover, and a copy may be requested with any application.

Consider the impact on people with visual impairments. A sign in the middle of the pavement may be a real hazard for them, and charities campaign against street clutter for this reason.

Finding out what applies to you

Search your council's website for "A-boards" or "tables, chairs and advertising boards". In Tooting, that means Wandsworth Council. If you are near a borough boundary, check which council looks after your section of the street. Ask for any written rules, and speak to your landlord too, as your lease may have its own restrictions.

Separately, a permanent or large sign may need advertisement consent under planning rules. Illuminated signs often have particular requirements. If you are in any doubt, ask the planning department, especially if you are in a conservation area or your building is listed.

Making your board work

If you are permitted to use one, make it count:

• Keep it to one short message that can be read in two or three seconds.
• Change it regularly, so that passers-by notice it.
• Use a poster frame board so that a new offer costs only the price of an insert.
• Use non-tear or PVC inserts, as paper will not last long outside.
• Add an arrow if you are around a corner or upstairs.

Alternatives if you cannot use a board

• Window graphics use your own glass, and they can be just as eye-catching.
• A PVC banner on your shop front can work for a temporary offer, subject to any rules.
• A projecting or fascia sign can last for many years, though it may require consent.
• A sign inside your doorway, set back from the street, can be seen without blocking the pavement.
• Leaflets and door hangers can reach customers directly in their homes.

If you are not sure which approach is best for your premises, send us a photo of your shop front, and we can suggest some ideas. Our artwork set-up is free when we print the job.