Anger over store signs in English only

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Anger over store signs in English only

By Eryl Crump, Daily Post (North Wales)


SUPERMARKET bosses last night came under fire for English-only signs
outside a soon-to-open North Wales store. Language campaigners warned they
were considering direct action against Morrisons over the signs erected
around the car park at Caernarfon's former Safeway store. Last night, the
company promised to replace the signs with bilingual ones. But Gwynedd
council said it was waiting for a planning application for bilingual
signs.

The English-only signs read Pedestrian Access to Store and Please Call
Again. There were others near the trolley area. The only Welsh signs found
were near the cash machines. Last night, Cymdeithas yr Iaith spokesman
Dafydd Lewis said: "We would expect these signs to be replaced with
bilingual signs as soon as possible.

"Direct action could be taken if they are not. "The attitude of this
company strengthens our call for a new Welsh Language Act which will
insist private companies implement a proper Welsh language policy."
Cymdeithas yr Iaith members took direct action against the Morrison store
in Bangor last month, when members daubed slogans on walls, demanding more
use of Welsh.

Rural communities pressure group Cymuned said the situation was "not
acceptable". Spokesman Llion Jones said: "A town like Caernarfon probably
has more Welsh-speakers than any other town in Wales. "This is typical of
companies like Morrisons who put up a few token signs in Welsh but most
are still in English." Gwynedd Council contacted the company after the
issue was raised with officers.

A council spokesman said: "The planning department has contacted the
company to inform them that it is expected that all signage should be
bilingual. "Following on from this, we expect that a planning application
for bilingual signs will be submitted shortly." Last night, a Morrisons
spokes-woman said: "We are aware the signs are not bilingual and they will
be replaced before the store re-opens as a Morrisons store on September
8."