A Welling businessman has told Bexley Council he will see them in court after being fined for having a roll of carpet outside his shop.

Tony Crane, director of Rainbow Carpets, said the carpet was from a delivery and he had not found room in his shop for it when the council swooped.

The 63-year-old – who has traded there for 35 years - would need a licence to display goods outside his store in in Bellegrove Road, which he says he can’t afford to pay.

He told News Shopper: “Bexley Council came to take a photo and they sent me a letter the next day with the image saying I am being fined £150.

“How the bloody hell am I meant to have deliveries? I couldn’t just bring the full roll in.

“I am fuming. I have been speaking to neighbours who have been saying how stupid it is. It is just wrong.”

Mr Crane said he would not pay the fine and will take the council to court.

He said the roll of carpet was there “for a little while”, but stressed that he doesn’t display things outside the shop.

“I don’t make enough money to pay to display things out the front. I have not been putting stuff outside my shop.”

The furious director said Bexley Council was discouraging businesses form trading in the borough.

He added: “I requested a meeting with Bexley Council and asked them to work with us and not against us. They say they want to encourage business in Bexley, but they are alienating.

“We are a carpet shop which the high street could do with. All the big stores like Toys R Us are going bust because everybody is buying online. Bexley Council is not encouraging or helping.”

Mr Crane is now planning on starting a petition with local traders.

A Bexley Council spokesman told News Shopper the fine has now been put on hold.

The spokesman added:"Mr Crane needs a licence for a display outside his shop premises, which he does not have.

"We issued him with a warning letter and one of our enforcement officers offered him advice, but he has continued to place rolls of carpet on the public highway which are an obstruction and could be dangerous to anyone passing.

"Issuing Mr Crane with a fixed penalty notice was a last resort.

"We will be holding discussions with Mr Crane and the fine is being put on hold until they have taken place as it appears the carpet may have been a delivery."