Council refuses 'crude' signage on listed building

A council has refused retrospective planning permission for "strident and crude" shop signage on a city centre listed building.

Pawnbroker Cash Generator last year opened a Bradford branch in the ground floor of Grade II listed Pearl Assurance House, on the corner of Kirkgate and Bank Street.

After criticism of the store frontage from Bradford Civic Society, Cash Generator applied for retrospective permission.

But Bradford Council refused permission, with officers saying the signage "harmed the character and significance" of the building.

The council's conservation officer Jon Ackroyd said: "The size, projecting form, colour and internal illumination of the signs all combine to create a very strident and crude appearance which conflicts with the listed building.

"The effect has been further compounded by the painting of boarded pilasters, shopfronts and external shutter boxes in the same strident colour.

"The implemented signage causes immediate visual harm to the listed building and city centre conservation area environment."

Si Cunningham, chair of Bradford Civic Society, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I'm amazed that a company with a national profile and a number of branches would find it so difficult to accept that occupying a listed building within a conservation area brings certain responsibilities with it.

"People who I've spoken to in Bradford don't have an issue with any business trying to make a go of it, but they would like to see the city's unique heritage and character preserved.

"With our new Heritage Action Zone getting started, it's a good time to be reminding building owners and occupiers about their planning obligations.

"Getting it right first time is much cheaper, and is of great benefit to everyone who uses the city centre."

Cash Generator has been approached for comment.