Birmingham gets tough on illegal flyposting

10.36.09pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd May 2007

Legal action against flyposters has been welcomed by Liberal Democrats in Birmingham.

Liberal Democrats in Birmingham have welcomed legal action against city nightclub owners after advertisements were illegally put up on buildings and street furniture.

The proprietors of The Factory Club and Medicine Bar in the Custard Factory in Digbeth were taken to court by Birmingham City Council after earlier warnings failed to stop the flyposting. They appeared before Birmingham County Court on Monday 21 May and signed an undertaking not to get involved in illegal fly-posting and to enter into written contracts with all their promoters to advise them not to fly-post.

Councillor Neil Eustace (Stechford & Yardley North Ward), Chair of the Council's Public Protection Committee, said:

"Fly-posting makes areas look uncared for and can increase fear of crime. The courts have given these nightclub owners a very strong message by requiring them to remove all their posters in 10 days. If they do it again they will be in contempt of court. Failure to comply may lead to a fine or even imprisonment. I strongly advise anyone involved in illegal advertising to take note."

Illegal advertising costs the city around £150,000 a year to remove and clean up. The Council is planning more exercises and intends to target persistent offenders.

Liberal Democrats in Birmingham have been campaigning for tougher enforcement action against flyposting, graffiti and fly tipping.