A LANDLORD fined for putting up an advertising banner without permission has criticised the city council for failing to support businesses in Derby's Cathedral Quarter.

Paul Keenan was fined £200 for hanging the poster across Sadler Gate, promoting live music in one of Derby's most historic areas.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Keenan had failed to get council permission to hang the advert from the walls of the Old Bell Hotel.

After the hearing Mr Keenan said he was frustrated he had been pursued for the offence.

He said: "Businesses are closing down – you only have to walk down Sadler Gate and see the empty shops. I was trying to do something to turn a business around and yet the council spent time and money pursuing me. They should put that effort into helping the area."

Mr Keenan now has to pay £500 costs to Derby City Council as well as a £15 Government surcharge on top of his fine.

In court, John Wilford, mitigating, said that Keenan became landlord of the hotel 18 months ago and had turned its fortunes around.

"When he came to the area this public house was failing and looked on the verge of being closed," he said. "He decided to display the banner and advertise the venue. Business has improved and he accepts he had not taken it down.

"This street has a number of buildings which are to let and businesses failing. He thought he was doing what he could to bring business to the area."

Mr Keenan, 43, lives at the premises and admitted displaying an advert on July 27 last year without consent.

Claire North, for the council, said the banner was noticed by one of the authority's officers when he walked down Sadler Gate.

It stretched across the pedestrianised street at six metres long, one metre deep.

Mrs North said The Old Bell Hotel is on a national list of important buildings which are classified because of their history or architecture. Three letters had been sent to the hotel licensee, pointing out that the banner should be removed.

"It is highly detrimental to the character of the building and the conservation area," said Mrs North.

Mr Keenan had also initially been charged with damaging a listed building by carrying out work which could not be reversed. The council offered no evidence on this charge and it was dismissed.

After the case Mr Keenan said the damage he had originally been accused of related to hooks being put into the wall of the 17th century, Grade II-listed building.

He said: "Those hooks have been there for decades."

Derby City Council leader Hilary Jones said the council had to protect listed buildings.

She said: "It's important that we use powers available to make sure we protect the city's conservation areas. I appreciate the frustration of business owners who are trying to boost their performance in this current economic climate. The council is working with the Cathedral Quarter Board to come up with more creative ways to attract more shoppers to Sadler Gate.

"The schemes are intended to make the area attractive but we always have to respect the conservation laws to ensure that the unique feel that the Cathedral Quarter has is maintained."