Solihull MP Lorely Burt attacks council over balloons display threat

Nov 26 2009 by Sophie Cross, Birmingham Mail

A MIDLAND MP today condemned Solihull Council for threatening a couple with legal action for displaying balloons outside their shop.

Solihull MP Lorely Burt, also the Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for small businesses, said she was “absolutely apoplectic” to discover highways bosses had told Diane and Derek Betts that the balloons they had put up to advertise their business posed a health and safety risk.

Officials told the couple, who run Shirley-based Bespoke Home and Flooring, that a rogue balloon could break loose and cause a child to chase it into traffic or could distract drivers.

“I really do think [the council] needs to get a grip on what’s important,” said Mrs Burt.

“Of all the things that a company trying to promote itself in the middle of a recession needs to worry about, certainly the council threatening them with the Highways Act for having balloons outside their shop should be the last thing.”

Diane, 41, said: “They came in and asked if we could take the balloons off a lamppost because they could distract drivers, which we did. Then they said we had to take them off our A board. If you drive up the Stratford Road you see balloons everywhere.

“During a recession they are a great advertising tool for us.”

A council spokesman said: “We are not banning balloons, we are simply trying to take a commonsense approach to keeping one of borough’s busiest streets useable for everyone. This has arisen because, despite Mr and Mrs Betts having a permit to place one A board on the pavement outside their shop, they have been placing three, blocking the way for pedestrians.”