A FLORIST has criticised “mean” council officers who fined him on Valentine’s Day.

Steven Bibb, who runs Fenners grocery and florist in Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, put out extra flowers on the pavement in front of his shop that day - the busiest of the year for sales.

But Lewisham Council inspectors told him he had taken up too much space on the pavement, breaching his licence and landing him with a fine of £100.

Mr Bibb claims he was only “a few inches” over his allotted space.

He said: “It’s funny how they decided to come down and see me on Valentine’s Day - a Sunday. That’s the one day of the year when I might have more flowers for sale than usual.

“It’s a little bit mean.”

Mr Bibb claims he is one of the only traditional greengrocers in the borough with a shop that has been in Blackheath for 100 years.

He said: “I’ve worked here ever since I can remember.

“I know what I’m doing and I’ve survived so far against all the odds.

“To do this when traders are going through a difficult time doesn’t really help.”

Lewisham Council recently wrote to all businesses in the borough, saying they will be exempt from their forecourt licence payment for March.

But Mr Bibb said this would only save him £14.10.

He said: “They’re giving with one hand and taking away with the other.“ A spokesman for Lewisham Council said: “For health and safety reasons, there are limits on the amount of space that stock can take up on pavements and footpaths that are used by the public.

“Unfortunately, the stock from Fenners went over the agreed licensed area, which incurs a fine.

“We appreciate that Valentine’s Day is a busy day of the year for florists but we do have a duty to ensure that footpaths are safe and accessible to the public at all times."