THERE must be rules, of course. Otherwise society would implode and anarchy would rule.

But sometimes those rules need to be bent. Sometimes common sense must prevail.

Take, for example, the situation with Rollerworld at Eastgates in Colchester.

For more than a year, this independent business has suffered the scourge of the roadworks to create single roundabouts at the bottom of Ipswich and Harwich roads.

The repeated closure of Ipswich Road south has hit Rollerworld, along with other businesses, as traffic has been diverted away from them.

Tired of the confusion, Rollerworld decided to put up its own signs to remind customers it is still open.

But less than a day later, Colchester Council stepped in to tell the skating rink’s bosses to take down the signs or risk legal action and potential fines.

Read more: Council threatens firm with fine for its makeshift Ipswich Road works signs

Of course, Colchester cannot be littered with posters. That would soon be unsightly and we have had incidents in the past when posters advertising events have been left up long after the event has gone.

But could there not be some leeway?

Rollerworld, like other businesses, has suffered through no fault of its own and needs a helping hand.

Shouldn’t the council be supporting businesses?

And couldn’t it perhaps turn a blind eye to these posters just for the duration of the works?

Anarchy will not follow and a business which has served the town so well for decades would get a little help.