Businesses are to be forced to pay £65 to display advertising boards outside their shops.

The new levy has been launched in Maidstone by Kent County Council in what it says is an attempt to reduce clutter in the town centre.

But there are fears that it will hit small businesses, especially newsagents, hard at a time when they are still struggling to rebuild business after the recession.

Businesses which display more than one advertising board in the street - such as newsagents which display Kent Messenger bill boards - will have to pay for multiple licences.

Letters were sent to all Maidstone businesses yesterday. The levy is expected to be extended across the county at the end of the year.

Cllr Nick Chard (Con), KCC's cabinet member for the environment, highways and waste, said: "The highway authority has a duty to assert the free and safe passage of all users of the highway.

"KCC does appreciate the current financial climate; and its impact on businesses.

"The policy has been designed to be straight forward and inexpensive; taking a balanced view from the businesses and pedestrian perspective."

But news of the £65 application fee for the licence was met with outrage by businesses in the town centre.

David Rayner, manager of Wimpy in Gabriels Hill, said: "You can apply for a licence and even if it is turned down it still costs £65. It's outrageous.

"We are the major town in Kent and everyone is trying to make a living."

James Hopper, owner of the Fortify Cafe in the High Street, said: "I have already paid £120 for a license to have tables and chairs outside - why can't the A-board licence be incorporated into that?"

Fuat Kutukcu, owner of Kent 2 Barbers in Gabriels Hill and Week Street, said: "I pay business taxes of £25,000 per year and A-boards are my only advertising, so I am angry."

Mr Kutukcu pointed out a broken flag stone in front of his barber shop in Gabriels Hill. He said: "What about this? Where does my tax money go?"

The scheme has also changed the rules for businesses with tables and chairs in the street.

If there is more than one row of tables and chairs then there must be an enclosure around them. A-Boards within this enclosure do not need a permit.

KCC said the new licences would keep high streets clear for shoppers.

The debate over A-boards in the town centre has already been running in a high profile campaign led by Neville Butteriss, from Maidstone.

Mr Butteriss, who is blind, collected 700 signatures on a petition called for A-boards to be banned.

More details about the new charge are available at www.kent.gov.uk/highways or call 08458 247800.

Is a charge the right way to deal with high street clutter? Tell us by email to messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to the Kent Messenger, 6 & 7 Middle Row, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1TG.