LAUNCESTON Town Councillors have turned down a request to have an advertising poster board in the Square.

Catherine Sleep, who wrote to councillors saying she is raising the profile of the town’s Market House Arcade, asked if a board could be placed in the square to promote events at Christmas time, including fayres and a grotto.

Mrs Sleep wrote: “I completely understand that if one advertises on the Square then it is difficult to say no to others but although this will obviously be of benefit to the arcade, it will also be an attraction for the town centre and will do the shopkeepers no harm.”

At the town council meeting on Tuesday, June 20, Cllr Rob Tremain said: “There is a council policy on advertising in the square. I think it’s a perfectly reasonable letter but we have got to be fair to everyone who uses the Square.”

He added that the Square is designated as highway by Cornwall Council and is managed by the town council on the local authority’s behalf. He said it is ‘not permitted to advertise on the highways’, adding: “It sounds awfully silly and petty but that’s sort of the rule.”

Cllr Paul O’Brien added: “I have great sympathy with the writer of the letter but it’s a floodgate and Frances [Nally, former deputy town clerk] was the one who worked her socks off to try and keep that square clear. The moment you allow this one, where do you draw the line not allowing the next? To maintain the integrity of the Square we need to say no.”

It was agreed the town clerk would reply to the letter suggesting other places to advertise.