A Londis store owner in Bexley in Dartford has said that he is feeling harassed by authorities after he was fined heftily while banners advertising his store were taken down without any prior intimation.
Retailer Nishi Patel, who owns SKN Convenience Ltd Londis Bexley park store, has stated that Dartford Borough Council has removed his banners advertising his stores without informing him despite his contact number being present on the same poster. Not only the banners were removed, Patel also received a fine of £100.
Patel told Asian Trader, "My store is approaching its 20th anniversary and we are having a celebration in the store over the weekend. To spread the word, my staff has put some banners around the area."
"Within 24 hours, the authorities took down two of my banners. And then a few days later, they sent me a fine for £100 for 'anti social behaviour' and 'fly tipping' apparently," he said.
Patel stated that this is first time such a thing has happened as he has been putting up posters and banners around the area to advertise his business and never faced such an issue before.
He said, "I don't understand how my banners were being a nuisance to anyone. They clearly was not rubbish because they were brand new. They were intact properly. They got my photo and contact number too printed so they they could have simply rung me and said, 'look, you're not allowed to have your banners here so come and take them off'.
"Now I have lost £100 worth of banners plus I've been fined £100. They took two down and took photos of the others in the car park but I believe the car park is private so can’t do much about it."
Patel told Asian Trader, "It is our 20th anniversary so I thought it will be nice to bring together the community and celebrate the fact that we have been serving them for two decades. We are small business owners and I feel being harassed here. My banner was definitely not rubbish."
Patel has contacted the council and has been waiting for their response on this matter.
"I am actually trying to find out why they are coming after me and my business, to be fair," he said.
