A number of Wanganui businesses have persuaded the district council to modify planned changes included in a new signage bylaw.
In its original format, the bylaw would have banned the use of mobile advertising hoardings and the temporary signs businesses were using in the city's main business district to direct shoppers to their premises.
The planned changes prompted 20 submissions, 10 of which were fronted at the council's statutory management committee meeting in August.
At that hearing, committee chairwoman Councillor Sue Westwood said the bylaw was about streamlining processes, ensuring public safety and maintaining the visual integrity of the city.
The committee has decided to allow the use of trailers, as long as the signs are no bigger than the trailer itself. Other amendments will let businesses use moveable signs on street corners, directing customers to their premises.
However, the new bylaw means signage will no longer be allowed to be displayed at the intersection of Dublin St and Somme Parade, on what is known as Cornmarket Reserve. Instead, those signs will be allocated space on the reserve but along either Somme Parade or Dublin St.
A number of submitters argued that mobile signs were an effective and vitally important means of advertising their businesses. They said the signs were never in a position where they were a danger to road users. They argued that the signs also created a sense of things happening in the city.
A growing number of visitors were coming to Wanganui and signs directing them to businesses in side streets were vital.
H&A Print principal Ed Boyd said the mobile signs "do wonders for us". He was "rapt" council had had a change of heart.
"I certainly had no issues about safety as far as the signs were concerned but these signs show that Wanganui is an alive town," Mr Boyd said.
"This is about council showing it is supporting local businesses that are keeping people employed."
The committee's recommendations were adopted at last week's council meeting. The bylaw came into force yesterday and will be reviewed in 2020.