IN a time when Aylesbury is losing one independent shop after another, mainly due to the ever increasing presence of huge supermarkets and the
growing importance of technology, the town could lose yet another colourful business for an altogether different reason.
The owner has put up security shutters to stop drunken louts smashing his windows, stuffing food through his door and urinating in the porch area of his shop.
You can only feel pity for someone who has to put up with this on what seems to be a dep
ressingly regular basis.
He has stopped claiming on insurance because it happens so often.
We known that Aylesbury Vale District Council and other planning authorities across the land have a number of arcane and weird laws they have to abide by.
AVDC say it is important that shops and shopping centres are attractive as possible whilst recognising the need for protection.
But it seems that in this case, none has been offered.
The owner has already put everything up for sale and says he is getting ready to go.
He says AVDC should be grateful he is there.
Many of his customers will clearly be sad if he is forced to close his doors, a feeling that has been clearly expressed in the form of a petition with five hundred signatures.
But what about AVDC?
The problem of drunken revellers falling out of pubs at the weekend is all too familiar and is not going to disappear overnight.
Yet credence must also be given to AVDC's views and also to the unescapable fact that the shop is situated in a conservation area.
So what is the answer?
The shutters are clearly not up the whole time and, as the owner has clearly demonstrated, the need for them is clearly evident.
AVDC, now it's over to you.
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