Hereford restaurant told signage not allowed

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Monday, 27 March 2023 05:41

By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

A new restaurant in the heart of Hereford has been denied permission for its illuminated outside signs.

The Turkish-themed La’De Kitchen is in the city’s former post office, an ornate Victorian building next to the Church of St Francis Zavier and other heritage buildings in the city’s conservation area.

The restaurant applied retrospectively for listed building consent for a seven-metre-long main “fascia” board and two round signs, one hanging on a projecting bracket from the building, the other within the arched doorway, all of which are internally lit.

But Herefordshire Council’s historic buildings officer objected to the fascia in particular, saying its protruding form between ornate stone courses of the façade was “to its significant detriment of the building”.

Herefordshire’s shop front design guide states that such internally lit signs “are generally not acceptable”, he pointed out.

This was in contrast to the previous signage when, as a Pizza Express restaurant, the letters were attached directly to the stonework and not illuminated.

He added that, contrary to the application, the hanging sign did not appear to be on a pre-existing bracket, and that “damage occurs to the building every time a new sign is erected”.

Planning officer Clive Lloyd agreed, concluding that the signage conflicted with national planning law and county planning guidance.

Asked to comment, the restaurant’s manager said the council had not informed him of its decision.