Wiltshire Council Threaten Prosecution Against Wiltshire Music Events’ Posters in Devizes

Salisbury-based event organisation Wiltshire Music Events has been ordered to remove posters advertising the Marley Experience gig at the Devizes Corn Exchange on 13th April, by Wiltshire Council, because they were unauthorised…..

Company director, Eddie Prestidge said, “we have been told by Wiltshire County Council to remove our posters from their present positions around Wiltshire or we will be fined £250 per poster, per day! When we designed the posters we carefully took into account where we would safely place them, and to make them of a sturdy and waterproof material, so they would be as safe as possible. We have monitored them daily in case the weather affected them, but it is with regret that we will have to remove all of our advertising posters by Sunday.”

Environmental Enforcement of Wiltshire Council notified the company, stating “the display of such advertisements does not benefit from exemption or deemed consent under the above the regulations and is therefore unauthorised.” It then threatens the company with liable action should they fail to remove the posters within three working days. “The Council therefore trusts you will take immediate steps to remove the authorised advertisements, and insure that, neither these or any other unauthorised signs shall be displayed at any location in the control of Wiltshire Council,” going on to explain it will not give the company a warning next time before prosecuting.

It should send out a stark warning to all, if you haven’t permission to display your advertisements it will be considered flyposting, illegal in the UK. UKGov states, “it is illegal to display advertising material such as posters or placards on buildings and street furniture without authorisation. It is not only unsightly but can also cause danger to pedestrians and road users.”

But I have to have sympathy for Wiltshire Music Events, an event poster such as the one in question is hardly neon glowing Piccadilly Circus, and no more potentially dangerous to road users than many of our other permitted event signage, from our Arts Festival to DOCA or FullTone, even some brown signs like the one advertising the Old Potato Yard on Andover Road which seriously obscures the view for those turning out of Ostler’s Yard.

If it all seems a tad harsh, given the town is plastered head to toe with other advertising signage, the rules are the rules, but I wonder if all said signs are situated on the owner’s own land, or granted permission to be on Council land. And even if they are, should they not still be monitored for being “unsightly” or dangerous? Mr Prestidge sadly told Devzine that he feels “victimised.”

I consider if this is more “cross my palm with silver,” than monitoring potential unsightliness or danger, and in this, ironically, if the words of Bob Marley, even through a fantastic tribute act to him, might be deemed too reactionary for the delicate situation the Conservative top-heavy county council find themselves in with a forthcoming general election and masses rising against the political ethos they stand by?

It could be; see this is an opinion piece razzled by the notion that both the hospitality and music industry is suffering enough post-lockdown, that it would’ve been a kinder resolute for the Council to have waived it this time, with a wrap on the knuckles to say don’t do it again?

However, Wiltshire Music Events promises “the show will go ahead as planned,” and we will be here to sing it from the highest heights, as loud as we can, not because it appears it’s an event the authorities wish to poo-poo, rather because we need events like this in our town, we want to celebrate events like this coming to our town, and we want to thank all those promoters for sifting through the bureaucratic piffle in order to host them. Plus, I’ve seen the Marley Experience, and support act Illingworth, and I’ll let you know now, if you come along you’re in for an unforgettable night of entertainment!

If you have any prominent position in and around Devizes, and would let them display their poster, Eddie states, “perhaps we can come to some arrangement with a couple of free tickets for this event!” Do get in touch with us, and we’ll gladly pass the message on, or comment in our social media shares of this article, thanks.

So, three cheers to Wiltshire Council for giving us an excuse to promote this event again, with a disconcert and quite frankly unjustified angle! As Bob said himself, “why’s this fussing and a-fighting? We should really love each other, in peace and harmony, instead, we’re fussing and fighting, and them workin’ iniquity.”

I hope to see you on April 13th at the Corn Exchange, Devizes; please do what you can to support live music in our town, share and invite your friends to events, that is the way to get word out.

Tickets HERE.