CRAVEN Council has been accused of ‘Del Boy’ tactics after renting out space in front of Skipton Town Hall to a car dealership.

Skipton district and town councillor Robert Heseltine said he had been inundated with complaints after two cars with sales advertisements appeared at the top of the High Street on Thursday last week.

The cars were initially parked in the disabled bays, close to the town hall, but following complaints were moved to the normally closed off setts immediately in front of the listed building, where they stayed for four days.

A spokesman for the council was unable to say how much the business had paid to use the space, explaining it was financially sensitive, but added it was just a promotional activity, that there was no selling taking place, and that the rental money would be put back into the running of the town hall, which is currently closed for major refurbishment.

But, Cllr Heseltine described it as ‘crass and insensitive’ and called on the council never to let the space out to a business again.

“When the cars first appeared, they were parked in the disabled bays, how crass and insensitive to put a commercial for sale business in disabled parking spaces. They were then moved to the front of the town hall. I was inundated with calls from people, and they were disgusted,” he said.

Cllr Heseltine said he had contacted the council’s director of services and had accused him of acting like ‘Del Boy’ - the character made famous by David Jason in the hit television series Only Fools and Horses.

“Some people will think its acceptable, but plenty don’t. Charities can put things up occasionally, but I am absolutely opposed to anything commercial, it just should not be allowed. If Craven District Council is so hard up, its got to go into the car market, it speaks volumes.”

The council, like all other local authorities in the country, is under financial pressures, and at its recent budget meeting, councillors were reminded to consider ways it could generate income.

A spokesman for Craven District Council said: “A company hired the setts outside the town hall for four days to promote their business.

“They are not selling or trading, simply carrying out a promotional activity. We often allow community groups and charities to use the setts for promotional activities free of charge but occasionally a business will want to hire the area for a charge, which goes towards the running costs of the town hall.”

The town hall is currently closed for major refurbishment and modernisation until spring, 2020. The tourist information centre has moved to temporary premises in Coach Street while museum staff are taking some exhibits on tour.

The town council will stay on the first floor of the hall throughout the work.