Sign beggars belief
Demo as jeweller is slammed for posting ‘Dickensian’ notice
A JEWELLERS has been criticised by activists and politicians for putting up “Dickensian” signs telling beggars not to sit outside while they’re open.
Stephen Henderson the Jeweller in Dundee has attached notices to the exterior of the shop that read: “No beggars during trading hours.”
A ledge outside the store, on the corner of the Nethergate and Union Street in the city centre, also reads: “Please do not sit here.”
Activists from Living Rent, a campaign group fighting for lower rents, picketed the shop and appealed to its owner to reconsider what they branded an “oppressive” campaign against rough sleepers.
Stuart Honeyman, one of the picketers, said: “Signs like this saying, ‘Don’t sit here’, asking beggars to move down the street, risks setting a precedent for other businesses to follow. We don’t want homelessness to be seen as a problem that can just be moved on.
“Local businesses have power in the community and it would be great if Mr Henderson spoke to the council about the issue rather than just putting signs up.”
Honeyman added: “There’s already anti-homeless infrastructure across the UK – spikes to stop people sitting and benches with partitions to stop people sleeping on them.
“People would rather spend money on things to deter homeless people than solving homelessness.
“The whole city centre can’t have signs telling beggars to move on.” Local community council chair Russell Pepper said the signs were “really awful”.
SNP councillor Lynne Short, whose ward includes Dundee city centre, said: “Begging as an act is not a crime, unless it is aggressive begging – however the sign is obviously not a bona fide way of tackling the situation.”
North East Scotland regional Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba said: “Targeting the poor and homeless in this way is horrific stigmatisation and quite frankly Dickensian.
“We should be increasing financial and other support for those in need, not seeking to ban them from public spaces that they have every right to be in.”
The Record contacted Stephen Henderson the Jeweller for comment but did not receive a response.
The whole city centre can’t have signs moving beggars on STUART HONEYMAN LIVING RENT ACTIVIST