Cumberland Council has carried out Operation Impact in Whitehaven, bringing together officers from Environmental Crime, Trading Standards, Licensing and Planning to engage with local businesses and promote high standards across the town centre.
The operation formed part of a coordinated programme of business engagement activity taking place across Cumberland and focused on supporting businesses through advice, education and early intervention.
Officers visited premises throughout Whitehaven to discuss a range of issues including commercial waste management, licensing requirements, planning compliance and trading standards responsibilities.
Operation Impact is designed to provide a visible council presence within key commercial areas, strengthen relationships with businesses and gather intelligence that may help inform future activity where required.
The emphasis is on constructive engagement, promoting compliance and helping businesses understand their responsibilities.
During the operation, officers:
Visited more than 20 businesses across Whitehaven town centre.
Provided advice and guidance on commercial waste requirements, planning controls and business compliance responsibilities.
Issued formal notices where businesses were unable to demonstrate they had appropriate commercial waste disposal arrangements in place.
Identified a number of unauthorised advertisements and illuminated signs that required either removal or planning consent.
Secured the immediate removal or deactivation of several non-compliant illuminated and flashing signs during visits.
Provided planning advice to businesses regarding shopfront displays, window advertisements and signage requirements.
Gathered intelligence to support future partnership working and compliance activity.
Recognised examples of good practice, including businesses with appropriate waste arrangements and compliant premises management.
The operation identified a range of issues requiring follow-up action. These included businesses that were unable to demonstrate suitable commercial waste contracts, unauthorised illuminated signage, excessive window advertising and advertisements that required planning consent.
In several cases, businesses acted immediately following discussions with officers, switching off or removing illuminated signage during the visit. Officers also provided guidance on how businesses could achieve compliance through informal action where appropriate.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, said: "Most businesses do the right thing and we want to support them to succeed. However, businesses have a responsibility to comply with the rules, and where standards are not being met we will take action to address them.
"Operation Impact sends a clear message that we are serious about maintaining high standards across our town centres. We will work with businesses wherever possible, but we will not ignore issues that affect local communities, undermine responsible traders or detract from the appearance of our high streets.
"By taking a firm but fair approach, we can help create cleaner, safer and more welcoming places for everyone."
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council's Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: "Operation Impact is about supporting businesses, promoting compliance and helping create cleaner, safer and more welcoming commercial areas across Cumberland.
"The vast majority of businesses we visited were willing to engage positively with officers and appreciated the opportunity to discuss any issues and receive advice.
"Through direct engagement with businesses, we can recognise good practice, provide guidance where improvements are needed and better understand the challenges facing traders.
"Working together across council services allows us to take a coordinated approach that benefits businesses, residents and visitors alike."
Cumberland Council is committed to supporting legitimate businesses while promoting high standards that benefit residents, visitors and the wider business community.
By working together across services, Operation Impact helps encourage voluntary compliance, improve local environments and ensure future activity is informed by the intelligence gathered through engagement with businesses.
The initiative also supports wider efforts to improve the appearance and management of commercial areas, strengthen partnership working and ensure council resources are targeted effectively where they can make the greatest difference.