Illuminated sign on Big Shotter, Darley Street, refused

Work to replace the modern shop frontage of the Big Shotter fireworks store on Darley Street and install a frontage that better matched the building’s heritage was recently completed.

Since then, a temporary sign advertising the business has hung from the shopfront – which lies within the Bradford City Centre Conservation Area.

In September, a planning application to install a permanent illuminated sign on the new frontage was submitted to Bradford Council.

Along with the business name, phone number and email address, the sign would include images of fireworks and logos of popular brands.

The proposed sign for the store (Image: Big Shotter)

But now the application, by Jamil Ashraf, has been refused by Bradford Council.

The Telegraph & Argus understands the work to restore the building’s frontage had been part of the Townscape Heritage scheme – a Lottery funded project where business owners can apply for cash to restore heritage buildings to their former glory.

There had been 18 objections to the plans, although officers acknowledged some of these were criticising the existence of a firework shop rather than the sign.

One of the objections came from Bradford Civic Society. The group said: “We object to the style, colour and material used for the fascia sign being proposed as it is inappropriate for a heritage building within a central conservation area / townscape heritage fund area.

The recently restored frontage of the Darley Street building (Image: T&A)

“The proposed colours are not in the spirit of the city centre supplementary planning document relating to shopfronts.

“Use of traditional and sustainable materials such as timber and cut out lettering, and a more restrained colour scheme, would be a more appropriate finish for a recently restored heritage property.”

Another objector said: “It will ruin the heritage of the city centre further.”

Conservation officers at Bradford Council also raised concerns, with Jon Ackroyd saying: “The adopted Shopfront Design Guide planning document is very clear that internally illuminated fascia signs will not be supported in conservation areas.

“The effect of an internally illuminated box fascia with a plastic illuminated sign is discordant to the qualities of the host building with evident architectural distinction. The strident visual effect is not appropriate and would cause harm.

“No justification has been provided as to why an internally illuminated fascia sign is regarded as appropriate.

“The proposed sign would cause harm to the host property and the conservation area. That harm is not balanced by any apparent public benefit.”

The plans have now been refused.