| Tory-run West Berkshire Council is continuing its crackdown on local businesses, and this time the cheery florist in Northbrook Street is in the sights of the red tape brigade.
For years, the flower stall has been happily trading outside Woolworths, but a council investigation has now been launched to force the stall to apply for a licence. The matter was raised at an internal council meeting last month, attended by the council's chief law officer, and town centre manager Mitch Roberts.
It's the latest in a long line of petty attacks on self-employed businesspeople in the town. Earlier this year, the Gurkha Chef restaurant was told to remove the words "nepalese tandoori" from its sign in Oxford Street, and more recently the Dolphin Hotel was told to remove chalkboards advertising its menu. Document House was told to remove an A-board promoting its food and drink, and the Arcade Florist has been warned about displaying potted plants outside her shop.
West Berkshire Council is currently facing government intervention over the Park Way development, where an elderly couple about to be evicted from their home in Park Street after 33 years have been offered just £120,000 for their two bedroom town centre house. All in all, 24 businesses have been told to clear off from Park Way to make way for multinational shops. A 10 day inquiry starting May 22 is shaping up as a last-ditch attempt by many veteran businesspeople to stay put. | 
