Advertisements

Last Updated: 3 April 2024

Some advertisements do not require advertisement consent and we have no control over them.

Some advertisements have deemed consent and provided they meet certain criteria do not require consent from us.

Some advertisements always need our permission.

The rules regarding the display of advertisements are complex. We recommend advertisers to take professional advice before displaying adverts or signs. Please refer to:

Government advice on outdoor signs and advertisements

It is a criminal offence to display an advert without proper consent. We can prosecute in the Magistrates Court.

Unauthorised advertisements

If we consider an unauthorised advert is likely to get consent, we will ask the advertiser to submit an application for advertisement consent. We will decide if an advert is satisfactory based on its impact on the amenity of the neighbourhood and public safety.

We must give at least two days’ notice in writing to any one responsible for displaying unauthorised posters or placards etc. before we can remove or obliterate any such advertisement.

'A' board voluntary code of conduct

'A' boards can cause obstructions if inappropriately placed.

Any liability arising from an accident involving an 'A' board remains with the owner.

Any 'A' board on public land must be covered by public liability insurance.

A code of conduct relating to A boards has been drafted by Kendal Business Working Group. The code of conduct only applies to boards placed upon public land/highway and those attached to street furniture within the area indicated by a red boundary on the 'A' board area map (PDF/2.0MB/1 page) 

The code does not apply to boards on private property, including privately owned shopping centres.  It is the responsibility of the owner/manager of the business to ensure compliance.

You can contact the Council of Chamber of Commerce with any complaints about 'A' boards if:

• a business is found to be breaking the code of conduct, then we will request a meeting with Kendal Business Working Group, the Business Partnerships, Chamber of Commerce or the Federation of Small Businesses
• the business will be asked to remove the sign within two days. If the matter is not dealt with we will remove the 'A' board

General conditions of the code

• 'A' boards must be in good condition and appear professionally made, eg proper signwriting, painting/printing
• offensive content will not be tolerate
• boards should be placed against the wall of the premises
• boards should not exceed A1 size
• businesses should think about the branding and colour of the board and how visible this makes them to visually impaired people
• board must be two-sided or otherwise free standing and of sufficient weight or design to prevent it being blown over
• board should not be on trailer wheels or other trailer type device
• rotating cylinders are not be acceptable
• only one 'A' board will be allowed per business
• where a business has its own private forecourt any 'A' board shall be placed wholly within this forecourt.
• when it is on the highway, 'A' boards must be positioned outside the premises on the same side of the road. Free access for pedestrians and other pavement users, particularly people with disabilities, including the visually impaired, should be maintained at all times
• the signposting of the yards needs to be addressed and determined in consultation with SLDC and representatives of businesses trading within the yards
• 'A' boards must not be attached to street furniture, trees and others items within the highway
• 'A' boards must be taken in at night or when the business is closed
• businesses should make allowance for access by street cleaning services
• 'A' boards must not impede vehicular emergency access
• where an accumulation of boards and/or other advertising techniques mean that the pavement is not easily useable, all must be removed until agreement is reached as to what is acceptable
• where a specific sign is identified by the council as creating a hazard for pedestrians, the owner must respond reasonably and promptly by relocating or removing the sign

Kendal A Board area principal streets

• Kirkland from the Parish hall
• Highgate
• All Hallows to bottom of Beast Banks
• Lowther Street
• New Road
• Kent Street
• Finkle Street
• Branthwaite Brow
• New Shambles
• Market Place
• Stramongate to over the bridge and Wildman Street
• Castle street to the sandwich kiosk
• Blackhall Road
• Library Road
• Stricklandgate up to junction with Burneside Road
• Sands Avenue