This policy sets out the standards the Council will apply when dealing with applications for alterations to frontages of shops and other commercial premises such as local offices, banks, public houses, hot food shops, etc. It also deals with the erection of canopies and security features. Except where stated, the policy will apply City-wide.

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 

(a) This policy should be read in conjunction with policy DES 8: Signs and Advertising.

 

(b) Shop frontages should always be designed to take into account the age and style of the buildings in which they are located.

 

(c) When a shop frontage is being renewed, the opportunity should be taken to restore the frontage to the original proportions and other appropriate design features where these are discernible from records or revealed in preliminary down takings.

 

(d) Any modern additions such as security features or firemen’s switches should be designed at the start of the process and should be located as unobtrusively as possible.

 

2. SHOPFRONT PROPORTIONS 

(a) The original fascia should be retained or, if it is concealed by a dropped fascia, this should be removed and the original fascia reinstated. The fascia should then become the signing zone for the property.

 

(b) Glazing should run from the bottom of the fascia down to the pavement, although a stallriser should be installed if it is a traditional feature in the building. If a structural beam lies across the frontage below the fascia, then a sub-fascia may be fitted and, although this should be glazed, it could be reflective, coloured or etched glass.

 

(c) If a shop unit extends across two adjacent buildings at different levels, then the fascia should be stepped rather than carried through at the lower level.

 

(d) In modern shop interiors in older buildings, ceilings are often lowered to incorporate lighting or ventilation equipment. This can result in an ugly junction on the shopfront as well as hiding attractive original features. To avoid this situation, lowered ceilings should be discouraged altogether and, if necessary, services exposed to view where they cannot be concealed. Where there is no original cornice of note, then lowered ceilings can be considered as long as they are set back 1 metre behind the glass and then raked back at an angle. Only in circumstances where there is a structural beam below the fascia will a lowered ceiling be permitted to run up to the window.

 

3. MATERIALS

In buildings where timber-framed shopfronts are still the established pattern, then timber should be used to reinstate a frontage. Elsewhere other materials may be employed but the extensive use of tiles or render is discouraged.

4. ALARMS, FIREMEN'S SWITCHES AND STREET NUMBERS 

These features are often located randomly on the frontage, having been added after the frontage has been finished. Where these are required on a shopfront, they should be fitted on the door return, rather than on the frontage itself. The street number should also be incorporated into the frontage.

5. AWNINGS AND CANOPIES 

(a) Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

Curved Dutch canopies are an alien feature in traditional properties and adversely affect the visual amenity of historic areas. These canopies will not be permitted on listed buildings or within conservation areas. Traditional retractable awnings may be permitted on these properties, provided the unit has a traditional shop frontage and the housing for the awning can be recessed flush with the frontage. Awnings should spring from immediately below the original fascia.

 

 

(b) Elsewhere in the City

Canopies must spring from below the original fascia and not extend across pilasters or close entrances. Canopies will not be permitted on shopfronts with dropped fascias.

6. SHOP SECURITY 

(a) Planning permission is required for the installation of all roller or concertina shutters. Listed Building Consent will also be required if the property is listed.

 

(b) In all cases where a roller shutter is permitted, the shutter box must be fully recessed flush with the frontage.

 

 

(c) Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

 

(i) To preserve the visual amenity of these properties, no solid roller shutters will be permitted on listed buildings or within conservation areas.

 

(ii) As security measures, shop owners can choose from the following list:

Listed Buildings

- demountable mesh grilles;

- laminated glass; and

- internally-mounted brick-bond shutters:

Unlisted Buildings within Conservation Areas

- demountable mesh grilles;

- laminated glass;

- internally-mounted brick-bond shutters; and

- externally-mounted open-bond shutters:

(iii) In circumstances where high-value goods are being sold, such as jewellers, externally-mounted perforated or cut-out shutters may be permitted.

(d) Elsewhere in the City

(i) Shop owners can choose from the following security measures:

- demountable mesh grilles;

- laminated glass; and

- internally or externally mounted brik-bond shutters:

(ii) Permission may be granted for solid or perforated shutters, if there is evidence of a high level of vandalism or break-ins affecting the area, or if the stock held is of a particularly high value such as jewellery or alcohol.