Climbdown over festive banner

Council Scrooges who ordered a charity to remove a banner advertising its Christmas card shop have performed a festive u-turn.

Cards for Good Causes, which sells cards and gifts in aid of more than 40 charities, wanted to advertise its new pop-up shop in the former MultiYork furniture store in Canterbury.

But after placing a banner across railings on Three Cities Garden, council officials insisted it must be removed because it did not have planning permission.

The volunteers were also warned leaving their A board in the street could result in a fine.

It was a blow to the charity, which had already been forced to find alternative accommodation following the closure of Nasons department store in September, where volunteers had manned the card store for 25 years.

They wrote a stinking letter to city council leader Simon Cook complaining about their “disgusting” treatment.

Council bosses have since agreed they would make an exception for the charity - as a “one-off”.

It is a small blessing for volunteers, who say there has been a sharp downturn in takings because of their new location.

Volunteer Janet Dalrymple said: “We appreciate there are rules and the officials who visited us were very apologetic and almost embarrassed.

“We hoped the council might make an exception because the shop is only open until December 22 and we have very little time to maximise sales.”