RETAILERS are celebrating after a shopping precinct owner made a U-turn over a decision to ban signs promoting their businesses.

About 20 shops in Crown Walk, Bicester, had been told to clear all ‘A’ boards signs advertising their stores because of concern over health and safety issues.

But just 24 hours later, Crown Walk’s owner Sainsbury bowed to pressure from shopkeepers and agreed stores could once again advertise their wares on boards. Traders claimed it would have been bad for business — especially when they were already struggling because of the recession.

Delighted Lynn Wright, of Bicester Bed Centre, said: “Common sense prevails.

“In this current economic climate, businesses need all the help they can get.”

A spokesman for Sainsbury said: “Our managing agents had written to our tenants in Crown Walk advising them of the possible health and safety implications arising from advertising boards being located outside their premises.

The spokesman added: “While this was done as a responsible landlord with the best of intentions, we appreciate that the letter created a misunderstanding.”