| The “Over the Bridge” Street Carnival which took place recently in Bartholomew Street has been heralded as a great success. All participating retailers reported an increase in business. The carnival was twofold in its aims 1) To celebrate the boost in trade following the completion of the enhancement scheme and 2) To tempt more shoppers over the bridge from Northbrook Street.
However the recent festivities fell foul of sharp eyed inspectors from West Berkshire Council. The shops were asked to remove the attractive balloon trees which they had used to adorn their doorways.
Richard Beech the Enforcement Officer for West Berks said that the balloons were causing an obstruction to the pavement for the visually impaired and the retailers were using advertising material without planning permission.
Newbury retailers have been upset for many years with the local council’s attitude to advertising boards. “A” boards are banned because of the danger to the visually impaired. One retailer has got over the problem by using an advertising bicycle chained to the recently erected bicycle stands.
One shopkeeper who did not want to be named said “West Berks have just given themselves permission to obstruct the pavement in front of their own offices with concrete bollards, yet they won’t allow us to use a few balloons for a couple of days to create a carnival atmosphere”. | 
