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Barber's sign of the times
A PREVIOUSLY banned advertising board has been allowed outside a Sheffield barber's shop for the first time in years – thanks to the credit crunch.
In an effort to help small businesses fight the recession, Sheffield Council is relaxing its stance on street advertising laws until the economic climate improves.
That's good news for Andrew Wilkinson's life-size wooden cut-out, known locally as Bob. He first appeared outside Cutting Crew barber's shop on London Road in 1984, but has found himself on the wrong side of the law in recent years.
"On three occasions, I've had to pay 50 to get Bob back," said Mr Wilkinson, aged 59. "It was like something out of a Cold War film – they bundled him out of a van as I handed over a cheque.
"There's been a barber's shop here since the 1920s, and Bob's been outside this one for the best part of 25 years. He's a landmark on London Road, and we're asked all the time by customers where he is. This is fantastic news."
Sheffield Council has relaxed the policing of the Highways Act to help small businesses beat the recession.
Paul Turner, a highways spokesman, said: "The instruction is we are not to actively pursue the removal of advertising boards unless they are seen to be a danger to highway users, or a specific complaint is received."
In 2005, the council clamped down on street advertising, meaning every time an advertising board was spotted in the street, it could be confiscated and owners would be charged for its safe return.
Bob was banished to the back of Mr Wilkinson's barber's shop in 2006, leading to confusion for many regular customers.
"When people walk down the street and don't see him, they think we're closed, even after all this time," said Mr Wilkinson.
Now Bob is back in his place outside the shop.
Mr Wilkinson said: "It's good to see him out there again. If nothing else, it's nice to see something positive come out of the recession."
A complaint in 2001 from a motorist who braked suddenly after mistaking Bob for a crossing pedestrian first led to the cut-out appearing less frequently outside the shop.
Mr Wilkinson said it was hard to believe anyone could think the wooden cut-out was a pedestrian.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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