SHOPKEEPERS say plans for a ‘communication hub’ in the city centre would block vital deliveries to a row of shops.
A series of planning applications for digital advertising signs in Broad Street and High Street have been put forward despite similar plans being rejected by Worcester City Council last year.
The signs would have advertising screens on one side and a range of publicly accessible functions on the other, including free wi-fi, free calls to landlines, and defibrillators.
SCREEN: A mock-up of a digital advertising hub like the units proposed for Worcester city centre (Image: JCDecaux)
But retailers say the proposed location for one of the signs would stop delivery trucks getting to shops in Broad Street.
Tim Evans, who runs Toys and Games, said: “This is quite unbelievable, this application to put this in the middle of the thoroughfare will obstruct the line of sight and block delivery drivers and vans parking.
“We have several delivery trucks, every day, crammed into 30-minute delivery window, this includes pallet trucks which would have no room to stop without blocking the thoroughfare with this put here.
“Vans are already wrestling for space to deliver in this area and this is right in the middle of their drop-off zone.
READ MORE: Plan to install ‘communication hubs’ in Worcester rejected
“Further hazards and obstructions will just result in them blocking the entire thoroughfare stopping anyone else delivering.
“I’m still astounded anyone could think this was a good idea to situate this unit here.
“This will have a negative affect on our business, not only in terms of customer line of sight but getting time sensitive deliveries in.
“There are far more suitable places for this unit that do not obstruct line of sight or deliveries.”
He said a defibrillator could be located in one of a number of places in Broad Street, and there are already several in the city centre.
A previous plan for the hubs was turned down with the council saying they would be “excessively large”.
Similar schemes, including BT’s plan to replace old phone boxes with illuminated digital screens, have also been rejected by the council.
Dozens of residents have objected to the latest plans by In Focus Public Networks, which would see two hubs installed in Broad Street and two in High Street.
Lee Cox said: “This structure will block vital deliveries to local businesses, there are plenty of other places this can be installed in a more accessible location within the town centre – don’t ruin the small businesses already suffering in the present climate of internet shopping.”
City councillor Tor Pingree said: “I don’t think the LED is in keeping with the local area.
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“I have concerns about what kinds of adverts will be allowed to be displayed and whether they will be appropriate for the audience/the time of day.
“I also have concerns about this screen blocking access to businesses at busy times of day.”
A planning statement says: “The application sites are all within the city centre and located in areas of heavy footfall where people will see and use the apparatus.
“The hub units form a small scale of development and are considered to be sited sensitively despite being situated within the Historic City Centre Conservation Area.”
