How ‘elf and safety could shut down the Open All Hours shop
THE shop that inspired Open All Hours could be forced to shut after complaints that its outdoor display is a health and safety risk, its owner has revealed.
The LE Riddiford store has been trading since 1928 and has goods stacked outside – just like Ronnie Barker’s shop in the classic BBC comedy.
Open All Hours creator Roy Clarke visited the store in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, and used it to inspire the show which featured hapless Arkwright the shop owner and his nephew Granville, played by David Jason.
But greengrocer John Riddiford said it might be time “to call it a day”.
They were acting on a complaint that the goods kept outside on the pavement were a health and safety risk and could be a problem for mobility scooters.
John, 53, has warned that his family business would not take enough money to be sustainable if he could not place goods outside. More than 2,400 people have signed a petition calling on South Gloucestershire Council to let him continue using the pavement due to the limited space inside.
Posting on Facebook Mr Riddiford said: “You may have noticed that the front of the shop is set out a bit differently.
“That is because we have had a visit from a very nice lady from South Gloucestershire Council as someone had brought it to their attention about our goods on the pavement and she had come to investigate it. She was very professional, polite and constructive but said that we needed to alter how our goods are laid out outside the shop.
“We’re sorry if it’s you we’ve offended but we’re only here to serve you our community and customers and are here to help not upset and annoy you. We need to utilise the space outside the shop as we have limited space inside without major alterations and the shop possibly losing its character and it encourages customers in to buy things.
“Without using outside the shop would not take enough money to be sustainable. Is it time for major change, relocation or maybe just call it a day?”
Council leader Toby Savage said: “Following any complaint the council is obliged to investigate. We appreciate residents’ views over the outcome but, as the post on Facebook shows, John was very understanding of the situation, working with our officer to find a solution.
“The council remains supportive of our high streets and had Riddiford’s been asked to remove their entire display I would have been among the first to sign the petition.”