Bracknell Computer Fair canned because of dayglo road signs

prowla

http://www.gadgetfairs.com/plug-pulled-bracknell-computer-fair

How utterly stupid!

I've just taken my son along to the Sports Centre because he wanted to buy the bits to build a computer. But we got there to find nothing on.

The idea that somebody has complained that the temporary dayglo signs are a distraction to motorists is utterly ridiculous (if they distract you then you're not fit to drive a car!), and the "detriment to the amenity" is preposterous - this is Bracknell we're talking about not a quaint picture postcard village consisting of beautiful thatched cottages and a lovingly manicured village green in an area to die for.

As far as hobbyists go now, there is pretty much nowhere in Bracknell not the surrounding area to buy computer components from, so we'll probably be off to Croydon next weekend instead, which is a bit of a hike.

Well done Bracknell - another reason to go shopping elsewhere! I'll be writing to the council about this; this is the most stupid example of local officialdom and red-tape gone wrong that I've seen in quite some time.

Paul from Bracknell

paulsad

Eeee reminds me when I had a small print business I put up a sign on the side of a house, after agreeing to pay the home owner - he was happy, I was. Eventually I got a letter from the council telling me it had to come down ... at the bottom of the letter was a logo saying "Oldham Council Helping Small Businesses!"
Soon as my sign went a bloody great advertising hoarding went up ... typical!

ThumbRemote

The other side of the coin would be that rather than paying for advertising like most other businesses, the computer fair see fit to put their own flyposters up.

Imagine if every business did that. Why should the computer fair be special somehow?

prowla

ThumbRemote wrote: »

The other side of the coin would be that rather than paying for advertising like most other businesses, the computer fair see fit to put their own flyposters up.

Imagine if every business did that. Why should the computer fair be special somehow?

One day a month isn't excessive, and they advertise via the internet.

I have to say I've always been amused by the "Massive Rug Sale" ones; I always wonder how big the rugs are.

But why do we need to be so regulated? My street has lines painted along it, signs and signs, chicanes, painted lines along the pavement too, and so-on; they are far less useful than a smattering of dayglo posters on the second Sunday of every month.

Anyway, next weekend it looks like I'll be in that local sports centre in the morning and then off to Croyden in the afternoon; Croyden's win and Bracknell's loss.

hollydays

Isnt that a bit childish though to say they are going to find a different venue because they can't put their signs up? Who are they trying to punish?
Why didn't they just run the fair anyway.

prowla

hollydays wrote: »

Isnt that a bit childish though to say they are going to find a different venue because they can't put their signs up? Who are they trying to punish?
Why didn't they just run the fair anyway.

They've been running it 2nd Sunday of the month here for maybe 20 years.

I'm not sure exactly what the signs bring in, but I am pretty sure that it is essential to the viability.

They haven't relocated to Croyden; the one there is well established.

Owain_Moneysaver

They could pay to do their signage properly (and legally). The AA amongst others offer this service.

prowla

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

They could pay to do their signage properly (and legally). The AA amongst others offer this service.

That's a fair (no pun intended) point!

But do we really need "legal" signs for ad-hoc/occasional events? What about petrol stations price displays by the roadside, what about the "kindly sponsored by" plaques on roundabouts which have been made to look nice, and so-on.

Do we really need everything to the official standard for official road signs.

TBH, I don't think the organisers make huge money out of it, and so temporary "legal" signs may not be affordable.

I wonder if this sets a precedent for car boot sales too - maybe a scrawled sign attached to the wire netting by the field is no longer going to be allowed...

hollydays

It's the law.

peachyprice

hollydays wrote: »

Isnt that a bit childish though to say they are going to find a different venue because they can't put their signs up? Who are they trying to punish?
Why didn't they just run the fair anyway.

Or just not use dayglo colours to print their cards.

There's nothing like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

hollydays

prowla wrote: »

They've been running it 2nd Sunday of the month here for maybe 20 years.

I'm not sure exactly what the signs bring in, but I am pretty sure that it is essential to the viability.

They haven't relocated to Croyden; the one there is well established.

Thanks but that didn't really answer any of my questions!