ShopfrontsIntroductionThe main shopping streets in East Hertfordshire are all in conservation areas. Hertford, Ware, Buntingford, Bishops Stortford and Sawbridgeworth are traditional country towns and all contain a large number of statutorily listed buildings. The Council recognises the importance of well designed shopfronts to the character of such historic towns and believe that quality will encourage investment and spending and will bring rewards of benefit to all the traders in the area. The Council is itself investing in environmental quality in the historic town centres, and major repaving schemes have been carried out in many of them in the last few years with the emphasis on high quality traditional materials. The quality of any shopfront design relies on its detailing and materials. The following notes offer guidance to all those involved in this design process. Further help can be obtained by contacting the Conservation Officer, preferably at an early stage who may, in some cases, be able to offer grant aid where clear improvements are being made. This leaflet firstly deals with the design of shopfronts and follows with a section on signs and advertisements including illumination and blinds. Other important aspects covering security and access for the disabled follow and the leaflet concludes by explaining the legal aspects of installing or changing a shopfront or sign. These notes are not comprehensive. This is a complex subject. Please contact the Planning Department before starting work to make sure you are not infringing the law. It is an offence to carry out work on a listed building which affects its character without consent. It is also an offence to carry outcertain works of demolition in a conservation area without consent. Shopfront designFew. if any, complete shopfronts in East Hertfordshire date from before the early 19th century. Many of our most attractive examples are Edwardian or even later. Shopfront design has always been strongly influenced by both fashion and the prevailing architectural trends of the time. Many of our old buildings have a later shopfront in a different architectural style, some of which are of such quality that they justify repair and retention in their own right. This approach should always be considered first in the case of a Listed Building or in a conservation area. Where change is to be made, or in the case of a new building, experience shows, generally, that the basic rule in good shopfront design is to respect the architecture above and around in terms of scale, proportion and materials. The Council will positively encourage good new shopfront design. It is determined however, to prevent the irreversible damage to many historic buildings which has occurred during the post war years in other towns. The Council will discourage the use of synthetic and untraditional materials in the sensitive historic areas of the towns. The Council has adopted policies which incorporate this approach and pursues them vigorously in proposals affecting Listed Buildings or in conservation areas. Materials in ShopfrontsHistorically, timber is the traditional material for shopfront construction in this area although there are a few good examples where cast iron or other metals have been used instead. The following brief notes outline recommended practice in respect of these materials, but are not comprehensive. If in doubt, seek expert professional advice. The Use of Timber in ShopfrontsTimber has been the traditional material for shopfront construction over the centuries, because it has proved to be both versatile and durable, to the changing designs of shopfronts. Traditionally, the timbers used were teak, oak, black walnut and mahogany, chosen for their aesthetic as well as practical qualities. Nowadays, although there is a vast range of timbers available for shopfront joinery, it is still imperative that specifiers are aware of the properties of the timber and its durability. It may be useful to contact TRADA', (Timber Research and Development Association) who have produced technical guidance on the properties and uses of timber. The durability of the timber chosen will also depend on the aspect of the shopfronts and the finish applied to the timber. External finishes, such as paint, varnish or wood stains will extend the life of the timber greatly. It is also necessary to apply preservatives to some timbers, such as plywood, or surfaces which are to be painted. A suitable grade of plywood for exterior use must always be specified when used in the construction of stall risers or other components of the shopfront. The Use of Cast Iron in ShopfrontsCast iron was sometimes used for mullions, pilasters and transoms and occasionally in this area for structural columns; it was also used for decoration. It is becoming rare and every effort should be made to retain and repair it. This is technically complex, but the Conservation Officer will advise in the first instance. Rust on cast iron can be treated with "stabilizers" or "converters" which prevent further oxidisation. These usually take the form of primers which are easy to apply in paint or spray form. Converting solutions, however, are often in the form of acid and require specialised application. Cast iron components sometimes need replacing and in this case new castings can be made using, if possible, original components as a pattern. Again, if in doubt, please contact the Conservation Officer. Repairs to cast iron should ideally allow minimal disturbance to the historic fabric, so retaining as much as possible of the original features. The cast iron may need to be welded during the course of repair. Alternatively, cold repairs may be more satisfactory, such as strapping or metal stitching. All repairs should be carried out by an experienced craftsman. Signs and AdvertisementsThese are essential to the success of any business. Remember, however, that too many signs in too small a space can be confusing and counterproductive. The towns of East Hertfordshire each have a distinct personality and each has conservation area status. The Council, therefore, takes the view that the coroorate image acoroach to shopfronts and advertisements design is not necessarily appropriate or acceptable and that it may have to be modified to fit in with local character. Early discussion is strongly advised with the Conservation Officer in such cases. Design of SignsIn conservation areas, or on listed buildings, fascia signs should sit above the shop window, below the cill of any First floor windows and should be sympathetically related to the scale of the shopfront and the whole building. Fascias should normally be painted wood with the name of the shop sign written (hand painted). Individually applied metal letters can be acceptable if a fascia board is unsuitable for the building. These letters can sometimes be placed on the side or flank elevation of a building. The individually applied letters should be simple and clear to read - black or gold letters can be particulary effective. The lettering of a shop sign should, in most cases, be simple and in proportion to the scale of the building - although, of course, sympathetic imaginatively designed signs of clear quality are encouraged. If the fascia sign is overloaded, the letters can appear squashed and illegible. Additional signage or lettering can instead sometimes be applied to the stallriser, or on the shop window itself. However, the shop window should not be blocked by vulgar obtrusive signs. Projecting box fascias are out of place in sensitive locations. Internally lit box fascias will not be accepted in conservation areas or on listed buildings. Hanging SignsA hanging sign is not always suitable for every building, although thoughtfully designed traditional hanging signs of an appropriate size can enhance the character of a street or building. Generally, they should be of wood or metal construction and be simple and easy to read, depicting the name of the business below. Brackets should be simple and not overly ornate. The design of the bracket is important as it forms part of the street scene. IlluminationWhere lighting is acceptable, the source of illumination should be low key' and discreetly positioned. Individually illuminated letters, halo- lit letters, swan neck and projecting spotlights and fluorescent neon lighting will be considered very carefully to assess their impact on the building and setting in the street scene. Internally illuminated acrylic box fascia signs are unacceptable. Brash and garish projecting illuminated hanging signs, encased in plastic boxes, are unacceptable in historic streets. Normally, only those premises which open at night, such as public houses, restaurants or similar late opening premises, will actually require external illumination. Canopies and BlindsCertain traditional shops have always tended to have retractable blinds. Butchers, bakers and fish mongers needed blinds to prevent the sun from damaging their goods. They could be pulled down when required. Modern 'balloon' blinds or shiny plastic Dutch canopies are often used as a means of increasing commercial advertising space. Generally this type of blind obscures the fascia and introduces an uncharacteristic and jarring form into the street. The preferred materials for blinds are heavy duty cotton types. The glossy plastic or stretchy shiny fabrics which are sometimes used are totally unacceptable for historic shopfronts and shopping areas. SecuritySecurity is an important issue to all retailers, and is a matter to which the Conservation Officer is sympathetic, however, a balance has to be struck between obtaining a safe and secure building without losing the intrinsic character of the building. In designing a new shopfront, security measures, such as roller blinds (where appropriate) are designed within the whole shopfront, and can be discreetly positioned behind the fascia board. The stall riser can be constructed of brick concealed behind a timber panel. Smaller paned glass windows, transoms, mullions and stall risers are more difficult to break into than large areas. Mullions can be reinforced with metal T-sections to improve strength. It is more difficult to adapt an existing historic shopfront. Translucent film can be applied behind the glass, giving a quality of strength similar to laminated glass. Lattice grilles are less offensive and, if positioned behind the shop window, do not destroy the character of the street. Security shutters can deaden the appearance of the street entirely and should preferably be avoided in historic areas. But, if the only solution is an external shutter, an open mesh design is preferable to a solid screen. It is important that the shutter does not cover the whole shopfront, only the vulnerable glazed areas, so that it is integrated into the visual framework of the shopfront. It should then be painted or finished in a colour to complement the rest of the shopfront. Access for the DisabledWith new shopfronts, the needs of the disabled and of mothers should always be taken into account in the design. A doorway of suitable width for a double buggy with an easy to open door is desirable. Steps should be avoided and a ramp incorporated in the design where this is possible. Frameless glass doors of plate glass are dangerous to children and partially sighted people. Although it is often more difficult to adapt a historic building to the needs of the disabled, every effort should be made to do so. Grants and MaintenanceThe Council recognises that a discordant shopfront can spoil a historic street of listed buildings but is an expensive item to replace although it is desirable to do so. A number of grants are available to assist in such circumstances. Historic Building Grants (or Town Scheme grants if the shop is within a specified area of Hertford, Ware or Buntingford) may be available for all shops in conservation areas where a clean and obvious improvement is proposed by the replacement of an unsatisfactory shopfront. The grants are also available for the repair of existing shopfronts which are to be retained or the reinstatement of historically accurate shopfronts. Owners are reminded of the great importance of regular maintenance of shopfronts in their care. If you would like more information or advice on grant aid please ask for the leaflet entitled Historic Building Grants in this series or speak to the Conservation Officer. Planning PermissionPlanning permission is required for material alterations to the external appearance of a shop, such as altering the size of the window, or installing a completely new shopfront. Advertisement ConsentSome fascia signs and hanging or projecting signs will, in addition, need Advertisement Consent and most illuminated advertisement signs require consent. Blinds displaying advertisements generally -require Advertisement Consent - those without advertisements may need planning permission. Listed Building ConsentIn addition Listed Building Consent is necessary if the shop is a listed building, for any alteration which affects its character. Consent must be received before works begin. The following alterations would normally require listed building consent: new display window or new doors, security alarms, illumination, security shutters and blinds, extractor fans, advertisements, altering the shop interior, repainting the exterior. This list is not exhaustive and if you are in any doubt, then please discuss the alterations proposed with the Conservation Officer. Seek AdviceAdvertisement Regulations are complicated. If you are unclear about which consents or permissions are necessary, then please speak to a planning officer. The Conservation Officer will be pleased to discuss any proposals you may be considering for a conservation area shopfront or for any listed building. Your building may also be eligible for grant assistance towards repair work. Please always telephone or write to the Conservation Officer before undertaking any changes SourcesThe Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement Regulations) 1992 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 East Hertfordshire Local Plan Adopted First Review (March 1993) Policies BE25 and BE27 relating to shopfronts and advertisements within conservation areas. 'Shopfronts and Advertisements in Historic Towns' - published by the English Historic Towns Forum -1991 Book of Details and Good Practice in Shopfront Design - English Historic Towns Forum 1992 'Conservation in Essex No 5: Shopfronts' - Essex County Council Useful ContactsThe Grants Officer English Historic Towns Forum TRADA The Conservation Officer English Heritage How do you rate this information / service? |
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