A CHIPPENHAM mechanic believes his MoT business could be forced to close and put his family’s home at risk if he has to take down signs promoting his business by Wiltshire Council.

Ashley Bye has invested almost £30,000 into Mermaid Vehicle Services based at Kington St Michael in the last 12 months, but had struggled to attract customers until installing two sets of signs along the road in January.

But the 30-year-old was told last week by Wiltshire Council that the signs would need to be taken down because he hadn’t applied for them.

“We were facing the prospect of closure because of a lack of work,” said Mr Bye, who lives with his wife, Vicki, and their three children, step-daughter Sophie, aged 11, eight-year-old K’dyn, and Ruby, two, in High Street in Dauntsey.

“Our budget is not high for advertising so the easiest message were these signs. In the first week we had six to eight more customers and it’s not just a

coincidence, because they were saying they saw the signs had gone up and came in.

“I’m trying to hold on to them as long as possible but the council said that it’s dangerous because it distracts road users’ attention and they’re garish. They said it didn’t fit in with the countryside.”

Mr Bye believes it could cost more than £500 to submit an application to Wiltshire Council for the signs to be considered for approval.

A Wiltshire Cocouncil spokesman said: “We received a complaint in respect of an unauthorised advertisement as a sign of this type requires advertising consent, and this business currently doesn’t have that in place.

“We advised that the sign should be taken down and have provided information which details the correct process of advertising a business.

“We are happy to support and speak to any local business if they are not sure of the regulations.”

Mr Bye added: “I just feel let down by the council, we put everything we have got into the workshop and I don’t have the money to throw at the council.“We’re only just keeping our heads above the water and I’m really worried for the business and my family if the signs are forced to come down.”