Circuses could stop coming to Wiltshire over poster rules
Council warns event organisers about restrictions after hundreds of pounds worth of marketing was taken down in Chippenham
Events organisers have been warned to follow the rules about putting up posters in public, after a travelling circus lost hundreds of pounds worth of marketing materials.
Wiltshire Council’s Trusted Billposters Scheme was introduced in April after a crackdown on unauthorised flyposting led to complaints from village fairs, community events and long-established travelling funfairs that relied on roadside posters to advertise events.
Council officials promised “a lighter touch” when it came to policing event posters, under the Trusted Billposters Scheme proposed by Lyneham ward councillor Allison Bucknell.
But last week Patrick Austin, the owner of Circus Ginnet, was shocked when his posters were torn down by officials in Chippenham.
He said 200 size A1 and A2 posters, valued at hundreds of pounds in material costs plus more in lost publicity, were seized.
“We’re a small circus with a team of seven people, and putting up posters is expensive and time-consuming,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“We give free entry to blue light services cardholders and to low-income families through groups like The Lions.
“Wiltshire is the only county that objects to circus posters and the feeling among the circus community is that it might stop us performing here.”
But this week David Bullock, director for highways at Wiltshire Council, said: “Temporary event signs do not need prior permission where they comply with the council’s published rules for signs on the highway.
“In this case, posters had been attached to signs, bollards and traffic signals in Chippenham town centre, which is not permitted. The organisers were reminded of the requirements and asked to remove them.
“The posters were subsequently removed by Chippenham Town Council.”
The organisers of community events like fetes and fairs, as well as travelling circuses and funfairs, are urged to check with Wiltshire Council before putting up posters.
Circus Ginnet is performing in Trowbridge and Melksham this month.