Hertford fishmongers asked to remove 'viral' knitted sea display

A fishmongers has been told to remove a large knitted display featuring sea creatures on the front of its building.

Glenn Graney, the owner of The Blue Oyster Bar, Hertford, paid £500 to buy the display from a local yarn bombers after he saw it elsewhere in the town.

He said planning enforcement officers from East Herts Council visited the shop to investigate safety concerns.

In a letter seen by the BBC the council wrote to Mr Graney in November and asked him to remove the frontage by February.

East Herts Council have been approached for a response.

The sea-themed yarn-bomb was originally on display in the summer, on Hertford's Parliament Square near the war memorial.

Mr Graney saw it and thought it would suit his fishmongers and restaurant.

It was originally created by the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters who he said spent "thousands and thousands of hours to actually make it."

He bought most of the yarn-creations during a charity auction and then secured them to the front of his building.

Mr Graney said the display has made "an immense difference" to his business.

He said people often take photos of the shop front and share it online, helping promote his fishmonger and restaurant.

"I was in Italy and I bumped into a lady who had seen it, and a lady from New Zealand who had seen it as well, it's gone viral all over the world," he said.

He said the display has helped at a time when "fishmongers are closing down on a weekly basis" and the town "no longer has any traditional shops, such as fishmongers and butchers."

According to Mr Graney the planning officer told him they had received safety concerns from a resident.

"Someone said it might be dangerous if it got wet and it might fall and hit somebody on the head," he said.

Mr Graney said the display is secured with stainless steel wires and does not believe it poses a risk.

The business owner said he never intended for the display remain for a long period of time.

"It will get discoloured eventually but at the moment it still looks vibrant".

Mr Graney said he is hoping to secure another meeting with the council where he can convince them to let him keep the display for a few extra months.

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