We would like to point out to our members and other businesses in the town the litter bye-laws. The need to keep your shop front clean is the most important aspect of the byelaws for business people in the town. If there is litter in front of your premises you can be fined by the town Council for the offence. Could people also refrain from placing refuse sacks full of rubbish outside their shop overnight. It is not only an offence but and eyesore. A shopkeeper or businessperson can be fined if litter is found outside their door or in the view of people from a public place no matter where it has blown from or who put it there. We would ask that the town business people would at the very least sweep up outside your premises once a day, this is you legal requirement but few are keeping this practice up.

In the coming months we will be visiting business people to get commitments as to their responsibilities. Tom Flood of Longford Cineplex has taken it upon himself to be responsible for Bridge Street. Longford would be a much better place to live and do business if more people followed this example.

If you want guidelines on your responsibilities you can contact any of the Chamber committee members whether you are a member of Chamber or not. You can also view a copy of the Litter Act.

Mobile Food Outlets
Operators of mobile food outlets selling fast food or beverages, or other outlets such as those selling farm produce are obliged to provide suitable litter bins in the vicinity of their outlets. Also, they must clean-up any litter arising from the operation of their outlets within a radius of 100 metres from their outlet.

Major Events
The promoters or organisers of major events are required to ensure that they have litter control measures in place at the venue and in the surrounding vicinity before, during and after the event. This applies to football matches and other social and sporting events at which large crowds attend. It is possible that this task can be undertaken by the local authority but the promoter/organiser must bear the costs involved.

Posters and Signs
The law forbids the putting up of posters/signs on poles or on other structures in public places unless you have the written permission of the owner of the pole or other structure in advance of putting up the posters/signs.

Advertising Flyers
The placing of advertising leaflets on car windscreens is prohibited and if you are proposing to distribute advertising leaflets in the street, you should first check with the local authority to see if they have introduced any local litter restrictions, which they are entitled to do.