A BUSINESS ON Oxford Road, reading has been fined and ordered to dismantle a roller shutter by Reading Borough Council following planning enforcement action.
It comes after a random inspection of shopfronts in 2023 found that the owner and leaseholder of 185 Oxford Road were in breach of regulations.
Occupiers had installed a roller shutter to the front of the shop without consent for the addition, which is required for signage built in the area, which is subject to a conservation order.
While the shopkeeper of J&B Charcoal Limited was advised that an internal shutter could be fitted for criminal risk prevention, this advice was ignored.
Despite subsequent written warnings, advice was ignored, and a section 172 enforcement notice was served in April 2024, which requires the business to comply with demands to remove the frontage added to the store.
This was also ignored and shopkeepers were taken to court on July 11.
A guilty plea was entered by the business at Reading Magistrates Court, resulting in a fine of £666, a surcharge of £266, and a prosecution cost of more than £1,500– totalling £2,437.
The sign and shutter were also ordered to be removed.
Reading Borough Council’s Supplementary Planning Document ‘Design Guide for Shopfronts’ was adopted in January 2022 to promote and preserve high streets’ ‘character and sense of place.’
The council explains that new developments will likely result in action being taken where there is no co-operation by shop owners with older existing shutters ‘planned- out’ when appropriate to do so.
Cllr Micky Leng. Lead Councillor for Planning at Reading Borough Council, said: “The Council does not want to see any local business taken to court, which is why this firm was advised on multiple occasions to remove this roller shutter before any court action was taken. It’s unfortunate that they chose to ignore the advice resulting in the subsequent Magistrates Court hearing and a substantial fine.
“Planning legislation is in place to promote and preserve the character of our High Streets and help retain a sense of place.
“Individual shopfronts can have a major impact on the streetscape, shaping the experience and perceptions of residents and visitors to our communities.
“While they have a purpose, roller shutters are an unattractive addition to Conservation Areas and will be strictly controlled by the Council’s planning enforcement team.
He explained: “A well-designed shopfront is one of the most effective advertisements to residents and visitors and considerable money has been invested in the Oxford Road-Russell Street-Castle Hill Conservation Area.
“We will continue to encourage shop owners to make physical improvements to shopfronts incrementally, because small changes over time can bring about significant positive change and visual benefit for all.”
“Officers have worked proactively on this case and have seen it through to a court outcome.
“This should send a message to all communities that to not co-operate with the Council leads to much-avoidable criminal and financial consequences of their own making.”
