Everybody needs good neighbours
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
0 To be a good neighbour, Increase your involvement with the local community and be aware of your potential unpopularity. Anne Preston (above), of Prestons of Porto says supporting the village that borders the company's Yorkshire depot has paid huge dividends. "We provide and put up the village Christmas tree, do things for the village hail, show schoolchildren around the depot and take the church bells to Loughborough when they need repairing, free of charge," she says.
Prestons is widely celebrated for its hanging flower baskets and the company won the Yorkshire Business In Bloom award last year. "We have just entered this year's competition," says Preston. "It was brilliant to win last year because we don't have a full-time gardener and were up against lots of companies that weren't hauliers."
You don't need prize-winning petunias to score points with your neighbours, though. To improve the appearance of your premises, screen off the site with tall hedges or good quality, well-maintained fencing, and erect clear signposting to improve local road safety.
Local health authority environmental health officers will investigate any site that is causing a nuisance. Simple common sense is sufficient to avoid complaints about noise. For example, insist drivers turn radios off before opening cab doors, organise parking and traffic-flow to avoid lengthy vehicle manoeuvring and bellowed directions, and purchase the most modern maintenance and operation equipment, which is likely to be quieter.