Scott Illman, who runs the Magpie and Crown in Brentford, has criticised Hounslow Council’s £260 annual street trading licence, calling it “ridiculous.”
Mr Illman learned about it through another trader.
Mr Illman, 51, said: “I am having to lie my advertising boards against my building and nobody has fined me yet.
“That’s 6.8 metres away from the road.
“To send a letter saying, ‘We are going to charge you for an advertising board’… It’s ridiculous.”
Hounslow Council maintains that the licensing requirement applies to any business engaging in commercial activity within the specified distance from a public highway, regardless of whether the land is privately owned.
Mr Illman said the boards are vital for attracting custom, especially given reduced footfall caused by nearby construction.
He said: “My advertising boards are to try desperately to get people off the streets with an offer or to make them smile with a joke.”
Mr Illman has run the pub since 2019 and said recent development work has already taken a toll on his trade.
He said: “I have dealt with all the hoardings going up around us, losing access to the rear of the pub.
“Never have the council said: ‘We will discount your business rates’, but now they’re trying to come at me for money for advertising boards.
“If they come at me, I will defend it to the hilt.”
He is adamant that the council has no grounds to charge, since the signs are on what he considers private land and do not obstruct the pavement.
He said: “I understand if the board were on the footpath, but when it’s on private land and nowhere near the footpath, you should have nothing to do with it — unless the signs are abusive, racist, or homophobic.”
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Hounslow Council argues the policy helps protect public safety.
A spokesman for the council said: “Any business located within seven metres from the public highway will need a street trading licence for commercial activities, which can include outdoor customer seating or marketing materials, including A boards.
“Even if the land is privately owned, if the public can freely access it and it lies within seven metres of the highway, a licence would usually be required.”