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‘Green zealots killing us - oh yes they are’

Penny Coles
29/11/2006

PANTO ticket sales for an award-winning stage company are £1,000 down after the council ripped down its publicity banner.

With the coffers for Aladdin affected, Glossop Operatic and Dramatic Society fears for its spring production of Annie.

Chairman Paul Mosley said: "Our panto is our annual money spinner. We have normally taken £3,500 by this far, but takings are down to £2,300 - just over £1,000 - the cost of a night's show."

The society's banner advertising its production of Aladdin was mistakenly removed from Norfolk Square by High Peak council's men in green - the Clean Team - two weeks ago.

Paul said: "It took them a week to put it back up which meant we lost a crucial Saturday of advertising and ticket sales. "

Paul said he was shocked because the society had got permission for the banner to be displayed this year.

He said: "Unfortunately, the right hand of High Peak council cannot know what the left hand is doing because the clean team was failed to be informed."

Paul, a founder member of the operatic society, is now calling for the council to review its poster and banner policy.

He said: "Why is High Peak so mealy mouthed about their policy? In other boroughs organisations are allowed to put up posters provided that they apply for permission and specify a time and site."

He also wondered why it seemed that posters displaying council events appeared to be allowed, but not those from other organisations.

A spokesman for High Peak council said: "We are sorry for the inconvenience caused and the poster is back on display in Norfolk Square."

This year Aladdin will be on show at the Victoria Hall from December 4 to 8. Tickets are on sale from £4 at Bay Tree Books.