Advertising banners which usually festoon Keswick town centre will no longer be put up following a decision by the town council.
Finance officer Catherine Parker told councillors there had been a number of “unforeseen issues” with event banners in Main Street and Station Street over the past few months, which had highlighted health and safety issues and led to property owners voicing concerns over insurance liability.
The cost of hiring wires to put up banners is £50 a week but some local charities receive a discount. Other costs include staff time taken to resolve issues and the costs of repair call-outs.
“Both existing areas are subject to adverse weather conditions and high footfall. Maintenance and survey costs are increasing compared to the income we are receiving,” said Mrs Parker.
She said income on average over the last five years had been £1,700 a year but the spend on emergency work and repairs had been £1,000 to date.
She asked councillors if they wished to continue allowing advertising banners to be put up.
Councillor Paul Titley said: “The risk of injury is really serious. Reluctantly I feel we must ditch this policy. Putting what is effectively a sail across our main shopping area is just an accident waiting to happen.”
Coun Tony Lywood said the board of Battersby Hall Charity believed banners on the side of Moot Hall were a danger to the public and the building would cease to be used to display them.
Keswick Museum had already booked an events banner in Station Street but has been offered the chance to put one up on Fitz Park railings.
Plans are being investigated to use illuminated advertising on the Moot Hall. To read more about that, click here.
