Where Did The Signs Go?

Earlier this year there was a meeting at the Hop Pole attended by Bromyard councillors, retailers and other business owners and other folk interested in the survival of the town as a functioning centre of business.

Several retailers made the point that travellers passing through Bromyard via the bypass would not know that our traditional High Street contained a wealth of shops, pubs and cafés and so already struggling businesses were being denied passing trade that could make a real difference to their income.

It was clear that this issue had been debated for many years and although those in a position to do something about it showed great accomplishment in excusing these years of inertia there was no positive reaction of any kind to solving the problem. A similar debate took place soon afterwards at a meeting of our Chamber of Commerce with identical results - or rather lack of results.

Then something very unusual happened.

Some unidentified individual or individuals did something about it. They actually took action rather than making excuses for doing nothing. They erected signs on the bypass that told passing motorists there were places to visit in Bromyard. “Pubs, Shops, Cafés – This Way”

For a few weeks they were a sign (pun fully intended) that things could change in Bromyard. That positive action could be taken to help our businesses. That negativity could be replaced with progress. Some people thought they looked great, others thought they were a bit garish, but the level of support was significant. There was clear evidence that visitors came to our businesses who would not have done so otherwise. They made a difference.

Then it all changed! Early in November the signs disappeared, torn down by person or persons unknown.

It has now emerged that this action was taken by Herefordshire County Council in response to three complaints from Bromyard residents that the signs were unsightly. Since there was no formal planning approval for the sites there was no need to consult and so down came the signs.

It has come to my attention that one of the complaints was along the lines of: “We don’t want people coming into Bromyard and seeing all these empty shops, it will give us a bad name”. Another complained that the signs mentioned “pubs” where it should have mentioned “churches” and “moderate parking” (whatever that means).

The shops, pubs and cafés in our town need every bit of help they can get. Tough times are here and will get worse. The signs would not have transformed our High Street but were a step in the right direction. The obvious question to ask is: “Which would bring more business to the town – these signs or no signs?”

·       Just who was it who believed their "taste" in signage was more important than the town's prosperity?

·       What are their suggestions for helping our businesses or do they just want to block any attempt at improvement?

·       Why did our County Council not do more to support Bromyard businesses in their time of greatest need?

·       Could our Town Council do more to get the signage issue resolved?

·       How do the views of 3 individuals take precedence over the views of most of the town's businesses?

What are we going to do about this? Not just lie down and take it I hope. We need to replace the signs with new ones that have planning approval and will do the job our businesses need. And we need to move quickly, not fall back into the previous pattern of prolonged debate and ongoing inaction.

Anyone can add comments to this blog by clicking on the “Comments” link below. We would welcome positive suggestions regarding how we might move this town forward or just messages of support. We would particularly appreciate input from those who got the signs torn down, they must have some really great ideas on helping the town and we invite them to share those!

Comments

[Tony]

Just to confirm to the complainants about the signs that they can comment anonymously!

[Ray]

Moderate Parking.... now there's a novelty.
And we could certainly do without strangers walking around spending their money in OUR town.........NOT!
Which pathetic trio of complainants did this? They obviously don't have the town at heart. What can we do to make Herefordshire Council help us NOW?

Stuart Barton is the man to speak to. 01432 383214.

[Ros]

I would like to know whether the people who complained about the signs do shop in Bromyard or do they jump in their gas guzzlers to spend all their pennies in large supermarket chains which have no possible benefit to our very dear little Bromyard.
I say three cheers to whoever put the signs up at least they were doing something to help our small local businesses who have a very hard time trying to make a living while doing such a valuable service for the community.
I get tired of hearing the Bromyard bashers rubbishing the town everytime they open their mouths, if you don't like it here then move somewhere else, I will even help you pack!
Recently the community spirit has noticably improved, let us all get together and keep it going in that direction and overwhelm the whingers and moaners and people who would rather see the demise of Bromyard.

[John]

I think anything that gets more people into Bromyard is not only good but needs to be done. Too many times I hear the phrase “nothing happens in Bromyard” and when things do then I hear “well we have never done that before” as if new ideas are a bad thing. We need to keep our town alive and the best way to do this is to make the whole town busier not just our little pieces of it. If the shops in the town get busier it will attract more shops and different types of businesses, some of which we do not have anymore. This in turn will give us more power when dealing with the council when it comes to parking and other issues. But we need something to help motivate the town and to start talking about what we do have not bemoaning what used to be here. We need to pressure the council into telling us not what we can do but what they can do for us.

[John]

Well done to whoever did this site.

The comments that you make are pertinent. We traders in the town do need to have more people visiting it to consolidate the businesses already here and then to encourage more to make Bromyard thrive.
The signs, now gone, were a step in the right direction. They attracted many comments, most of which were positive. Removing them because of a small number of complaints will perhaps make their replacement desireable to almost all.

[Mary]

After years of asking for signs someone actually did something about it - and the majority of people applauded. Many of us are very proud of our town and we need to keep it going. Too many people do not use the facilities even though they live here - but far more people never knew we existed, thinking they had driven through Bromyard when all they had done was drive on the by-pass. The signs told them otherwise, and we have many positive comments from traders who know that the signs actually worked and brought people into the town. Why do we have to battle with constant negativity, constant belly-aching about how wonderful things used to be? There are plenty of people here who want this town to succeed NOW, and that might mean some new ideas and perhaps different ways of doing things. It doesn't mean that we are trying to take over - it means we love Bromyard. I hope the few people that complained about these signs will really start to question whether they had a right to stop visitors realising we are here and whether they will be pleased when the town dies around them. They will probably be the first to whinge!

[Sue]

Whilst I had a chuckle at pubs coming first on the signs, obviously somebody didn't. However, what we both did was NOTICE them. That speaks for itself.

Perhaps the splendid figure who adorns the bypass during the scarecrow festival (or something similar) could be on permanent display, pointing the way to the shops (and they all need our support).

Simple clear signs inviting visitors into the town are vital to our survival.

Just now with the Christmas lights which are a fantastic display for such a small town we need to draw in as many people as possible to show them what they are missing by going to Worcester or Hereford (with their sophisticated but dreary decorations).

This is a town with huge potential, let's all pull together and, if we can't stop the moaners, then let's drown out their grouses and grumbles!

[Tony Burt]

Since I set this blog live earlier today we have had over 50 visitors! That's amazing! Please click on "Comments" even if you just say "Hi". Let's show the world how many people actually care about Bromyard!

[Jane]

Hi!!!
Will get my act together to post something pertinent soon..........

[Alan]

Good to see some comment on this by Jack Davidson. Let's see if we can put up the pressure and get them back!

[Boogaloo]

One might ask the question as to why planning permission wasn't sought in the first place! Perhaps the original objections were less about the signs themselves, but more about their design. Whilst I applaud the sentiments behind the erection of the signs, they were rather 'in your face' and did not sell Bromyard to best advantage. Perhaps consultation with all town businesses will produce something more attractive and meaningful next time.

[Titus]

Tend to agree with Boogaloo. Should the Town Council have been consulted. What are they there for? And those of us who are comparitive newcomers to Bromyard should be careful not to be seen to be throwing our weight around and telling the natives what is good for them.

[Onlylivedhere25years,sorry]

The word on the High Street is that the Town Council were requested to get some signs up, as long as 3 years ago, so I'm with you, Titus! Just what they for?

I didn't think they were the prettiest things ever, but were certainly better than the nothing which has replaced them. Consulting with all the town's businesses is a really nice concept. How about those people volunteering their views, by a given date, and action being taken soon after? (By 'action', I'm thinking of some new signs, and not a referendum).
I suggest: businesses and residents alike be asked for their views on the text, font, colour, size and positioning of new signs; to respond by - when? Who needs longer than a week? We're not building Rome here! (That's a place in Italy)
The council can approve a commitee from those interested enough to volunteer their time, and they can apply to the very next planning meeting.
New Year, New Signs, Move On.

[Nick]

hi

There is a reason, however dull, for seeking planning permission one such being that the signs don't hinder the motorists view. These weren't the best placed or the best height from a motorists p.o.v. especially the one at the bottom of Sherford

[Tony Burt]

Thanks for your input Nick. Presumably you have some expertise in these matters so would you be prepared to participate in the next "signs project" to help us get it right?

[Ros]

I don't think the comment from Titas is a very helpful towards the promotion of good community spirit. There are a lot of 'natives' who have worked tirelessly over the years for the benefit of us all and most people are willing to take on-board new ideas for the same purpose. The 'them and us' attitude is not very healthy.
Well done the clean up Bromyard team but there must be some way we can stop people littering in the first place, any ideas?
As for the signs most people seem to be in favour so can we now have them back or new ones before more shops close.
But what do I know being a mere local yokel who thinks irony is wot I as on bottom of my hob-nailed boots!

[Deb]

Hi,
As a resident i did notice the signs and i agree that these are long overdue.
But please will someone make the signs more attractive. It is one thing telling passers by what we have to offer, but another to encourage them to stop and take a look!!
It's a shame they were removed, lets hope we can get some new ones up very soon.

[Tony]

Hi Deb

Thanks for your comment. You'll see from the latest post that your wishes are coming true! Are you psychic?