Many market towns in our districts have distinctive high streets, with a mixture of medieval, Georgian and Victorian shopfronts, as well as later shopfronts on historic buildings.
They are often clustered together and create attractive, historic central spaces for us all to enjoy.
The businesses that occupy these spaces can enhance or detract from the character and appearance of the area, via their use of signage and advertisement boards.
Similiarly, shopfronts on non-historic buildings in a Conservation Area will still impact its character and appearance.
Within our districts, we are lucky enough to have some rare surviving late medieval shopfronts in areas such as Lavenham. However, the shopfront as we know it today emerged in the mid-18th century - and the typical Georgian shopfront has a projected bow window with small panes of glass.
The most common type of shopfront found in our high streets are Victorian. These are typified by their large plate glass shopfronts, and splayed lobbies and angled fascias. In the early to mid-20th century, the influence of art deco and more minimalist design approaches were mixed with curved glass and decorative tiles.
Since the end of the second world war, shopfronts have become even more minimalist, with large, plain glazing.
Since the early 21st century, shopfronts have moved away from having large display windows. Windows are often restrospectively obscured, but historic shopfronts are still important features of our high streets.
Historic shopfronts benefit from regular repairs and maintenance. This may include regular window cleaning, and cyclical painting of any exterior woodwork.
If the colour palette and materials are staying the same - and any replacement of fabric is limited in extent - then this will probably not need formal consent.
Signage has a big impact on the character of a building. Its design should attempt to blend with the historic nature of the building itself, as well as respond to other architectural features that the building might have.
Many of the historic shopfronts within our districts are based in classical proportions, which you will need to adhere to when you consider any shopfront signage.
For example, a sign that is too large for the space will detract from the shop, and possibly the street as a whole.
Many historic shopfronts have dedicated space above the windows, for signs to be attached to. This is usually indicated by a central blank space, and the cornicing detail rising from the ground floor, which provides attractive stops at the boundaries of the area. This is called a fascia.
Hand painted signage is preferred in most circumstances. For shops with a large shopfront window and a lack of fascia, smaller signage can be applied to the glass.
When you choose the colours for your signage, you should consider the palette of surrounding buildings, as well as any historic features of your shopfront. For example, if you have colourful glazed tiles, choose complementary tones and colours for the surrounding paintwork so that this feature stands out more.
Rich, traditional colours or pastel tones are generally appropriate (avoiding the use of very bright colours).
Most alterations to shopfronts will need approval. In some cases, you might need more than one type of consent.
If you are unsure which permissions you need, you should contact our Planning and/or Heritage Team before you make any changes.
You may need planning permission to make changes that will materially affect the external appearance of a shopfront (such as the replacement of the shopfront, installation of a canopy/blind/awning, or the addition of vinyl stickers).
If you are altering the signage of your shopfront (such as installing a new fascia, or changing the colour of a sign), you are likely to also need advertising consent. In conservation areas and on listed buildings, all illuminated signs need consent - and they are unlikely to be considered appropriate for historic buildings.
Any alteration to a listed building, both internally and externally, that affects its significance will need Listed Building Consent. This is irrespective of whether or not any other permission is needed.
If you need further advice, please contact our Heritage team.
Email heritage@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
Phone 0300 123 4000 (Option 5, then Option 3)
Write to us:
Heritage Team
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
IP1 2BX
We also offer a pre-application advice service, which can include a site visit, meeting, and written response.