A FISHING shop owner was let off a £20,000 hook by magistrates in a dispute with Blackpool Council over security shutters.

The council had asked for a maximum £20,000 fine and £160 legal costs on Carl Lawton for refusing to change his solid shutters at the World of Fishing store in Central Drive. But instead he was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

The council wants all new businesses to have slatted shutters, which it says improve the street scene by looking less hostile, but Mr Lawton's insurance firm said they were too risky.

Unwilling to trade with less insurance cover, he was forced to close the store last year, moving back to his original Cleveleys base with the loss of 11 jobs.

Mr Lawton's solicitor, Trevor Colebourne, said: "In my view this was bureaucratic nonsense. As I said to the court, it was absurd he was refused planning permission for his shutters.

"He had improved the building enormously. It was previously derelict, plastered in posters, and he spent a lot of money to make the premises look extremely nice.

"It was a condition of his insurance that he have these shutters - they said the slatted ones are susceptible to ramraids and could be more easily removed. They were identical to those at many other shops in this vicinity - but the council moved the goalposts by changing the rules.

"I feel very sorry for Carl. He's lost his shop and the shutters will still have to come down, which will affect an awful lot of other shop owners in the area."

Mr Lawton said: "I feel that my stand was justified, because in Central Drive you really do need to secure your premises."

Planning chairman Coun George Bancroft said: "A conditional discharge is still a decision in favour of the council, because it means that if he commits another offence within 12 months he'll be liable to be sentenced for the original offence.

"We believe this policy is the right one. It's been upheld on appeals throughout the town - we want to ensure the environment doesn't become hostile by having these solid shutters from floor to ceiling all along the street.

"The policy is there to create an attractive shopping centre at night where people can still see the goods in shop windows while keeping them secure."

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