Shop front design guide - Harrogate

SHOPFRONTSDESIGN GUIDE

Shopfronts represent an important element of our District's built environment and make a positive contribution to our historic town centres. High quality traditional shopfronts survive in the spa town of Harrogate, the cathedral city of Ripon, the castle/market town of Knaresborough and the smaller towns of Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham.The Council's policy is to retain existing high quality shop-fronts and also to ensure a high standard of design in new examples. This guide supports the current Local Plan policies as a means to provide supplementary advice in order to assist those involved with formulating proposals for existing and new shopfronts.

Harrogate Borough Council, Civic Centre, St Lukes Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2AEwww.harrogate.gov.uk

This design guidance was subject to publicconsultation and is supplementary to, andshould be used in conjunction with, thecurrent Harrogate District Local Plan

The triumph of the modern movement in architectureafter World War II led to the widespread abandonmentof traditional shopfront design and detailing in favour ofover-deep fascias, plate-glass windows and unsymp-athetic materials such as plastic, aluminium, glazed tilesand mosaic. These have now largely had their day but,whilst timber has made a comeback, contemporaryshopfronts are all too often poorly detailed and presenta flat, uninspiring appearance. By imparting a greaterunder-standing of the basic elements of shopfrontdesign, Harrogate Borough Council seeks to remedythis situation. The Council will be particularly concernedto achieve a high standard of design where a shopfrontforms part of a listed building or lies within aconservation area.

Harrogate District Local Plan:The Local Plan was adopted on 19 February 2001.Key policies relevant to the design of shopfronts are:

POLICY HD21Proposals for new shopfronts will be permittedprovided they meet the following criteria:

a) New shopfronts in existing buildings should beintegrated with the general form of the building facadeand its neighbours, respecting its proportions anddetails and using traditional materials. Every effortshould be made to re-establish the original pilastersand fascias.

b) Where a shop occupies more than one buildingshopfront fascias should not be carried acrossfacades of separate architectural identity.

c) Within conservation areas and on listed buildingsshopfronts should generally be constructed ofmaterials appropriate to the area or building, andbe in accordance with policies HD1 and HD3 asappropriate.

d) Existing high quality shopfronts of traditional designand materials should be retained.

POLICY HD22Proposals to display advertisements should haveregard to all the following criteria:

a) The size, design and number of any advertisementsshould respect the scale, character, design andlocation of the building and/or shopfront on whichit is displayed, as well as the overall street scene.

Shopfront Guidance Content:General Principles SDG1Elements of a Shopfront SDG2Georgian Shopfronts SDG3Victorian & Edwardian Shopfronts SDG4Blinds, Canopies & Security SDG5Lettering, Signs & Advertisements SDG6Illuminated Signs (approved jul '07) SDG7

b) Advertisements will not be permitted where theywould adversely affect the character or appearance ofa listed building, conservation area or other sensitivelocation.

c) Strict control over illuminated signs will be exercised,particularly on listed buildings and in conservationareas and other sensitive locations. Where illum-ination is acceptable, signs should be externallyilluminated unless, in exceptional circumstances, theinternal illumination is by individually illuminated or'halo' lettering or other discreet method.

d) canopy advertisements will not be permitted wherethey would adversely affect listed buildings,conservation areas or other sensitive locations.

Advertisements which have an adverse effect onamenity or public safety will not be permitted.

Introduction

A shopfront well-related to the building of which it forms part.

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Shops evolved originally from freestanding marketstalls. As towns developed during the middleages, often following the granting of a charterconferring the right to hold a weekly market,burgages were created, initially around the marketplace. On these plots traders and craftsmen builthouses fronting onto the street from which goodswere sold. They usually had open frontages,protected at night by wooden shutters, with thegoods displayed on a shelf which projected ontothe street. Shutters continued to be a feature ofshopfronts long after the advent of glazing.However, the development of the modern house-front with its front door and glazed windows led tothe gradual evolution of the shopfront we knowtoday.

Shopfronts in the modern sense originated in the C18,

as a result of the greater availability of glass, and thusnaturally followed the principles of classical designwhich dominated the architecture of the period. Indeed,the temple front, minus its pediment and most of itscolumns, became the basis of the shopfront anddetermined the prop-ortions of its various elements:

the podium became thestallriser, the columnsbecame pilasters, thearchitrave and cornicewere retained, and thefrieze became thefascia. Although theprecise proportions of the classical orders (Tuscan,Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite), were rarelystrictly followed, they provided a general guide to theproportional relationships between the differentelements of the shopfront.

From the mid-C18 to the early C20, shopfronts evolvedthrough styles broadly categorised as Georgian, Victorianand Edwardian (see Guidance Sheets SDG3 & 4). Inspite of changing details, the same basic principles ofdesign and proportion held good. Not until the mid-C20and the triumph of the modern movement in architecturewere these generally abandoned in favour of sparselydetailed designs in modern materials, often ill-proportioned and unrelieved by ornament or decoration.The tendency of high street multiples to imposestandardised 'corporate images' on their shops,regardless of the character of the building or areacompounded the problem. Moreover the scope for gooddesign was llimited by increasing standardisation in themanufacture of building components. Other problemsaffecting late C20 shopfronts have been the pressures ofincreased competition, leading to a desire for illuminatedsignage and plastic canopies, as well as increasingproblems of security.

In recent years local planning authorities haveencouraged a movement back towards traditionaldesigns and materials. This Guidance seeks to helpdesigners and architects create well-designed shop-fronts, whether in a traditional or modern idiom.

History and Evolution of Shopfronts

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Harrogate Borough Council, Civic Centre, St Lukes Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2AE www.harrogate.gov.uk - Tel. 01423 500600

Planning LegislationRelevant legislation is the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007.

Listed Buildings

Listed building consent is required for the alteration, demolition or extension of a listed building. Protection covers the whole building, both the interior and exterior (and also any object or structure fixed to the building and any pre-1948 object or building within the curtilage). It is a criminal offence to demolish, extend or alter a listed building without first having obtained listed building consent from the local authority. For matters relating to listed buildings please contact our conservation officers via the main council telephone number or email: [email protected]. To check whether a building is listed, please visit Historic England's website. For any queries relating to listings, please contact the conservation officers.

Conservation Areas

These are defined by the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act as areas of special architectural or historic interest. Designation results in additional controls such as the demolition of buildings and walls and tree works. There are 53 conservation areas within the district. More information, including the informative Appraisal documents, can be found online at the council's website.

What changes need permission?

Generally speaking, if not a listed building, a shopfront may be redecorated and the existing signage changed without the need to obtain planning permission or advertisement consent. Alteration or replacement of the shopfront, the addition of new and / or illuminatedsignage will require permission. (In the AOSC more stringent restrictions apply.) Also, if the building is listed, listed building consent may be required. To determine whether permisison is required, please contact the Planning Department via the main council telephone number or email [email protected] .

**It is highly recommended that early advice be sought from the council after the initial site appraisal and survey has taken place. This can be achieved via our Pre-Application Enquiry Service, details of which can be found online at www.harrogate.gov.uk**

Making an ApplicationInformation on applying for relevant consents can be found on the council's website. For further information on making an application, please contact the planning department via the main council telephone number or email [email protected]

Development Management ChecklistThis Design Guidance will be used by the Planning Department to assess applications. The summary below is designed to aid those involved in the preparation of applications in order to assist the planning process:

i) Have the shopfront, the full building elevation andthose of adjoining properties been surveyed?

ii) Has the shopfront design been devised to:

reflect and reinforce the appearance of the existingbuilding/s?

preserve valuable existing features?

represent a confident and well-resolved design?

have well-resolved details suitable to the style andmaterials to be employed?

iii) Has the signage been designed to:

clearly advertise the firm and business concernedin as discreet a manner as possible?

be within these guidelines?

iv) Do the drawings clearly show:

any alteration to the existing shopfront or newconstruction?

the position of signs, their construction and lettering?

the means of illumination, where this is proposed?

the colours proposed for the shopfront or signage?

These should be specified in accordance withBS4800. If BS standard colours are not proposed,actual samples should be submitted.

Planning and ConsentsAreas of Special Control of Advertisements Under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 a planning authority may designate an Area of Special Control (AOSC). Harrogate District has such an AOSC which was approved by the Secretary of State on 21 March 1994.

**Further guidance on all aspects of the historic environment can be found in the council's Heritage Management Guidance Supplemenary Planning Document, which can be found online at www.harrogate.gov.uk**

**In addition to listed buildings, there are many Non-Designated Heritage Assets in the district that retain their traditional shopfronts**

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17 James Street, Harrogate: a high quality shopfront, well-related to the

building & based on original arcading which extended along the Hirst Terrace.

14 High Street, Knaresborough: a restored early C19 shopfront

These principles are broadly applicable totraditional shopfronts of all periods, butvariations of scale and character will beappropriate in different places related to thestatus of the shopping centre and the scale ofthe building and its neighbours. More advicefor shopfronts of particular periods is given inGuidance Sheets SDG3 and 4.

Existing high quality shopfronts, dating from beforethe mid-C20 and of traditional design, should beretained whenever possible.

Many traditional shopfronts embody workmanship andjoinery skills which today may be hard to find and are of aquality meriting preservation in their own right. For example,it would take a highly skilled carver to reproduce anelaborate floral console bracket such as is often a featureof Victorian shopfronts. It is rare for a new retailer genuinelyto need a completely new shopfront as much can be doneby repainting and signage to create the new image andimpact required. Indeed, a good quality, traditional shopfrontcan enhance the image of the business carried on there.Sometimes a largely original shopfront may be concealedbehind more recent accretions. If these are carefullyremoved, the more or less intact remains of the originalshopfront may be revealed and any missing details canthen be restored.

A replacement shopfront should not normally appear tobe older than the building of which it forms part.

Shopfronts were often, indeed usually, added to buildingssubsequent to their original construction. Thus, whilst amore recent design of shopfront on an older building looksperfectly natural, a Georgian shopfront on a Victorianbuilding, for example, would normally appear unnatural andun-convincing. Very occasionally, circumstances may justifya departure from this general principle. Shopfronts do notnecessarily have to be 'in period' and a good simple moderndesign is preferable to a feeble 'historic' one. Nevertheless,where a uniform terrace originally had identical or similarshopfronts and some of these have been lost or altered, itwill be appropriate to encourage a 'block enhancement'scheme to restore or replace the altered shopfronts asclosely as possible to their original design. Where nophysical evidence remains on site, it may often be possibleto reproduce an original shopfront on the basis ofarchitectural drawings or old photographs.

A shopfront should be well related to the building ofwhich it forms part and to neighbouring shopfronts oftraditional or good design.

Within the shopfront there should be strong vertical elementsto offer visual 'support' to the building above. Ideally, theshopfront should not extend for the full width of the building,allowing a strip of brick, stone or render (depending on thematerial of the elevation) to extend down to ground level oneither side. This should be augmented by strong pilasters.However, it is not always possible to retain a strip of thefacade to either side of the shopfront, in which case theimportance of the pilasters is increased. An intermediatepilaster or pilasters (depending on whether the shopfront issingle or double-fronted) will also help to provide suchvisual 'support'.

These various supporting elements help to ensure that thebuilding appears to extend upwards from the ground andnot float above a ground floor void. Similarly, there shouldnormally be a reasonable gap between the top of theshopfront and the bottom of the first floor window cills toarticulate the different elements of the facade.

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Signage and security precautions should not exceed whatis reasonably necessary to advertise the business and togive adequate protection against burglary and vandalism.

Simple and restrained signs are often as effective in advertisinga business as over-large or garish ones, particularly whereseveral shops are in visual competition. Hand-painted lettering,e.g. in gold or white, can look extremely effective on a dark-painted timber fascia or hanging sign. The presumption shouldbe against illuminated signs unless a particular need forillumination can be demonstrated. In such cases discreetexternal illumination will normally be preferred to internalillumination, though the latter can in some cases be acceptableif tastefully executed. On well-designed modern shopfronts'halo' lighting, where individual letters are silhouetted againstan illuminated background, or individually illuminated letterscut out of, or fixed to, an opaque fascia may be suitable.

The modern use of canopies, frequently as vehicles forsignage, is rarely necessary to protect the goods on display,usually detracts from the shopfront and the building as awhole and generally adds to visual clutter.

The need for security, beyond that provided by the shopwindow itself, is an unwelcome fact of modern life. Internalgrilles or shutters do not require consent (unless installed inlisted buildings) and, provided they are transparent, willnormally be acceptable. External roller shutters are generallyopaque, have a deadening effect on town centres and requireplanning consent, which will normally be refused (SeeGuidance Sheet SDG5). However, external shuttersconstructed primarily of transparent polycarbonate are nowbecoming available.

Nothing said above should be taken to indicatethat 'period' shopfronts are preferred to well-designed modern ones. If there are fewillustrations of the latter, it is because goodexamples in Harogate District are few and farbetween. The most important elements of ashopfront, of whatever period, are good prop-ortions, details and materials. If this is bornein mind, and a modern shopfront relates wellto the building to which it is attached, it willnormally receive approval.

New shopfronts should normally be of timber con-struction, though in some locations other traditionalmaterials, such as stone, may also be appropriate.

Timber is the traditional material of shopfront construction,is cheaper than other high quality materials, lends itself toa wide variety of paint finishes and is capable of reproducingsubtle mouldings and other detail. Existing stone shopfrontsof traditional design, particularly where they incorporatecarved decorative detail, should always be retained andstone may also lend itself to simple and elegant modernshopfronts in the case of 'prestigious' buildings and locations(e.g. in central Harrogate). Materials such as aluminium(unless anodised to a suitable dark colour), plastic andpolished granite will rarely be suitable for shopfronts.Matching brick, stone or render may be suitable for stallriserson brick, stone or rendered facades.

36 James Street, Harrogate: a simple, modern high quality shopfront withsimple signage and well-integrated retractable awnings.

6 Cambridge Street, Harrogate: a fine Edwardian stone shopfront worthy ofpreservation

A well-proportioned "new traditional" shopfront with discreet signage

The main elements of the shopfront should be inproportion to each other, broadly reflecting theproportions of the classical orders.

This applies particularly to the stallriser, fascia and pilasters.The ratio of the height of the stallriser to the height of theoverall shopfront should not exceed 20% and that of theentablature (the combination of cornice, fascia andarchitrave) should also not exceed 20%.


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A simple cornice and fascia based onthe Tuscan Order - easilyreproduced by a competent joiner

It is important to understand the relationshipbetween the different elements which makeup the shopfront. These are analysed below.

�� The cornice is a particularly important element of theshopfront. Its function is to provide physical protection (byshedding water) as well as a visual stop. Cornices arenormally made up of a number of horizontal 'run' mouldings,receding from top to bottom, usually separated by one ormore flat, vertical faces. Often the cornice is 'supported'by tiny squared blocks (dentils) or larger curved brackets(modillions).

An important point to note is that, unless the entablature isenclosed at the ends by console brackets (see insert onVictorian shopfronts), then all mouldings, dentils andmodillions continue as returns. The top of the corniceshould have a shallow forward slope and a lead capping,dressed into the wall above, to shed water.

The fascia normally presents a smooth, flat surface topermit signwriting. Georgian and early Victorian shopfrontsusually have vertical fascias. Later shopfronts (which wereoften higher, reflecting the increased height of later Victorianand Edwardian buildings) sometimes have the fascia angleddownwards for greater visibility from pavement level. Theheight of the fascia should not exceed 10% of the overallheight of the shopfront.

The architrave consists of a recessed plane or one or morehorizontal mouldings whose function is to 'finish off' thebottom of the fascia.

�� The design of the shop window evolved in response totechnological advances in the manufacture of glass. In theC18 and early C19 glass was blown and spun into sheetsof limited size (crown glass), characterised by a pleasingirregularity of surface which reflects the light in a mostattractive way. (Crown glass, where it exists, should alwaysbe retained, being carefully removed and replaced wherethe shopfront needs repair. It is now possible to obtainreplacement crown glass from a number of manufacturers.)This limitation of size gave rise to the small paned shopfront,analogous to the multi-paned sash window with which it isroughly contemporary, the main difference being that shopwindows were glazed on the inside with the mouldings oftheir glazing bars facing outwards.

The 1820s saw the development of cylinder glass, whichpermitted larger panes, and the development of plate glassin the middle of the century allowed glazing bars to beeliminated altogether. The later C19 shop window wastypically divided by vertical timber mullions, usually moulded,to give a number of full-height panes, although the upperpart of the window might be divided off by a transom andgiven a more decorative treatment, such as elliptical archesor small leaded lights.

Cills should be robust. Their function is to provide a baseto the shop window, to throw off water and, originally, tosupport the wooden shutters which provided security atnight. They may have a similar profile to ordinary windowcills or feature a variety of mouldings. More prestigiousVictorian and Edwardian shopfronts often had cills toppedwith brass on which the name of the shop was engraved.On traditional shopfronts cills do not normally project beyondthe face of any pilasters; this means, in other words, thatpilasters should project well forward of the shop window.

A more highly decorated cornice andfascia based upon the CorinthianOrder - expensive to reproduce todaybut original examples should alwaysbe retained

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Victorian: full height panes divided by pilasters with consolessupporting the entablature

Pilasters showing variety of proportion and ornamentation

The stallriser protects the base of the shopfront from kicksand splashes. Brick, stone or rendered stallrisers usuallypresent a flat surface, though there may be a slightlyprojecting plinth below the main part. Timber stallriserswere normally of frame and panel construction, either raisedand fielded or with the frame projecting forward of one ormore central panels, the recess usually being covered by amoulded bead. This recess is important and the modernpractice of forming the stallriser out of a single sheet ofplywood with beading applied to an otherwise flat surfacealways looks wrong.

$��The pilaster derives from the column. It encloses or givesvisual support to the entablature (cornice, fascia andarchitrave) and to the building as whole. Traditionally madefrom solid timber, pilasters rarely exceed 300mm in widthand may be as narrow as 100mm. Most lie within a rangeof 150-200mm. Normally presenting a flat face to the street,they may also take the form of an engaged (or, more rarely,freestanding) column. They usually stand on a slightlywider and deeper plinth and may terminate in either acapital or a console.

The face of the pilaster may be quite plain or feature avariety of ornamentation, such as recessed panelling, raisedmotifs, fluting or reeding. Modern pilasters are usuallyfabricated from plywood which frequently results in thembeing disproportionately wide, often with a few widely

spaced, routed grooves resulting in an unconvincing replicaof proper fluting.

The majority of capitals are based on simple Tuscan orDoric models; where elaborately carved Ionic, Corinthianor Composite capitals exist they should be retained.Frequently pilasters are terminated not by capitalssupporting the entablature but by console bracketsenclosing it. Again, these often provide sophisticatedexamples of the carver's art.

'�� )�Traditionally, doorways were usually recessed. Thisprovided protection from the elements for the customer andadditional window display space, particularly in Edwardianshopfronts where the door was often set back a considerabledistance. Architecturally, it helped to provide depth andinterest. Sometimes in the Edwardian period the shopfrontcurved into the entrance and the floor might consist of tilesor mosaics, often incorporating the name of the shop. Newshopfronts should, if at all possible, incorporate recesseddoorways.


Georgian: small paned bow windows, slender pilasters and engaged columns

Occasionally the doorway may be found on the corner of abuilding, with the door angled at 45 degrees or, more rarely,curved. Whatever the position of the door, it should not bealtered merely to tie in with proposed alterations to theinternal layout of the building.

Doors themselves should normally reflect the characterand period of the remainder of the shopfront. For example,the door of a Georgian shopfront with small-paned windowswould probably have 3x3 panes above one or two panelsbelow. The door of a later shopfront with plate glasswindows would probably have deeper panes without glazingbars above a more boldly moulded panel. Later shopfrontsoften had double doors. Fanlights may be plain, incorporatedomestic-type glazing bars or take their cue from anydecorative detail in the upper part of the shop window itself.

Original doors should always be retained or replaced inreplica. If the original door has disappeared and nophotographic or other evidence exists, a suitable replace-ment door should be designed to reflect the shopfront as awhole. 'Off the peg' doors are rarely suitable.

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48 High Street, Knaresborough: one of the finest shopfronts in the District, although somewhat spoilt by the advertising board above the cornice.

48 High Street, Knaresborough: detail

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The term 'Georgian' is here used looselyto describe shopfronts of the period datingroughly from 1750 to 1840. Shopfront designwas not static during this period and individ-ual elements evolved in response to changesin architectural fashion, but these variationsare less apparent than the common char-acteristics which apply throughout the period.These are the strong influence of classicalprecedent, the relatively small scale of shopfrontand the constraints on pane size imposed by themanufacturing processes for crown and, later,cylinder glass.

In plan, shop windows may be flat, have shallow bows,square or canted bays, flat fronts with curved ends or evenelaborate serpentine profiles. Bows and bays are usuallycontinued down to the ground with stallrisers of the sameprofile but may overhang a flat stallriser, in which casethey may be supported on brackets. Comparatively fewGeorgian shopfronts remain in Harrogate District. Twonotable examples are in Knaresborough, at 14 and 48 HighStreet, and are double-fronted with bow windows to eitherside of the doorway. Such remaining examples of windowsprojecting onto or above the footway should be carefullyconserved, particularly as this is no longer permitted underthe Highways Acts.

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16 Market Place, Knaresborough: probably the oldest surviving shopfront in the District

The entablature (cornice, frieze and architrave) normallyincorporates classical mouldings and details, and returnsat each end. It will usually be supported by classicalpilasters or engaged columns or, more rarely, by free-standing columns. These are most likely to be based onsimple Tuscan or Doric precedent, since these do not involveelaborate capitals. Where elaborate Ionic, Corinthian orComposite capitals are found, these should always beretained and carefully repaired, if necessary. In HarrogateTown there are many examples of such capitals constructedin stone. The Regency period (1810-1830) saw theintroduction of a simplified form of classicism, with pilasters,often reeded, intersecting a fascia of the same width (height),the squares at the corners occupied by roundels or paterae.

Shop windows are invariably subdivided into a number ofpanes by timber glazing bars. This is due to the limitedpane size that was possible with crown or cylinder glass. Inthe earlier part of the period, pane sizes are quite small,similar to those of ordinary sash windows, but, unlike thelatter, the profiled glazing bars face outwards and are puttiedon the inside. Crown glass has a very pleasing irregularityof surface due to the manufacturing process which reflectsthe light in a most attractive way. It should always beretained and carefully removed and re-used when ashopfront is being repaired. Later on, the development ofcylinder glass permitted an increase in pane size, requiringthe use of thicker glazing bars. Occasionally, the upperpart of the shop window may be given a decorativetreatment, perhaps with a pattern of glazing bars resemblingthe fanlight over the door, but this is comparatively rare andis more usually a feature of later Victorian and Edwardianshopfronts.

Doorways are usually recessed behind the face of the shopwindow, generally set behind the facade of the building ifthe shopfront is flat, or in line with the facade if there areprojecting bays. The pattern of glazing bars in the upperpart of the door typically resembles those of the shopwindow. The lower third or two fifths of the door usuallyfeatures one or more raised and fielded panels. Fanlights,as with ordinary houses of the period, exhibit a wide varietyof designs. Glazing bars may be of timber or, to achievegreater delicacy and fineness, of painted lead. Regencydoors may have marginal lights, reflecting the simpleintersecting fascia and pilasters of the shopfront as a whole.

7 Westgate, Ripon: a Regency shopfront


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9 Kirkgate, Ripon: one of a row of similar Victorian shopfronts.

The main characteristics of Victorian shopfronts are:

� an increase in the height, width and depth of shopwindows

� unbroken glazing from cill to architrave but windowsdivided vertically by timber mullions, sometimestaking the form of thin colonnettes or terminatingin elliptical heads

� the Georgian shopfront with its entablature supportedby pilasters is frequently replaced by pilastersterminating in console brackets enclosing the fascia

� roller blind boxes are often incorporated as anintegral part of the design

� a greater variety of materials, especially in higherclass shops

� shop doors are usually four-panelled with the upperpanels glazed or with the whole of the upper partglazed.

The chief glory of Victorian shopfronts is often the elaboratelycarved console brackets enclosing the fascia. Theserepresent highly sophisticated examples of the carver's art.They often survive more or less intact behind later 'claggedon' plywood fascias. Where they do exist, as with highlydecorated capitals on Georgian shopfronts, they shouldalways be retained and, where necessary, carefully repaired.

The development of plate glass in the middleof the C19 and the repeal of the excise dutyon glass in 1845 gave rise to much largershop windows, uninterrupted by glazingbars. Shopfronts as a whole became largerand chunkier. Much of the delicacy whichcharacterised Georgian and Regency shop-fronts was lost, but Victorian shopfrontshave their own distinct and robust character,equally meriting preservation and repairwhere they remain. Whilst still looselyfollowing classical precedent, Victorian shop-fronts and their Edwardian successors drewinspiration from from a variety of sources.

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Elaborately carved console brackets: a typical feature of Victorian shopfronts.

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50/52 Parliament Street, Harrogate: an Edwardian shopfront incorporating many typical features.

9 Albert Street, Harrogate: an unusual combination of stone piersand timber entablature.

In the 1880s and 1890s there was a reaction against whatwas perceived as the ponderousness of mid-Victoriandesign. This manifested itself in the Arts and Crafts andAesthetic movements, the Queen Anne revival in arch-itecture, a mania for all things Japanese and a generalstriving after 'sweetness and light'. Trends in domesticarchitecture carried over into shopfront design. Forexample, the fashion for having the upper sash of a windowdivided into very small panes was echoed in the decorationof the upper part of the shop window (clerestory) with smallpanes, leaded lights, arcading or curvilinear forms. Thesetrends led to the type of shopfront that we characterise as'Edwardian', although they often predate the accession ofEdward VII in 1901.

Typical characteristics of Edwardian shopfronts are:

� very tall shopfronts, often accompanied by a reductionin the height the stallriser and of the fascia, whichmay be angled downwards for greater visibility

� stallrisers in 'hard' materials to resist wear

� simplification of the console brackets, sometimestaking the form of fluted 'bookends'

� much thinner pilasters, which may in some cases beomitted altogether

� decorative treatment of the clerestory and fanlight

� deeply recessed doorways, sometimes with thethresholds in mosaic to advertise the name of theshop, decorated soffits and curved glass instead of acorner between the doorway and the frontage

� doors almost totally glazed, often with marginal lightsand with only a smalled panelled area at the bottom,the latter robustly fielded

� cills covered with brass on which the name of theshop is inscribed.


It must be emphasised that not all of these features are found on every shopfront; some willonly be found on the grandest examples and many shopfronts will combine different elementswhich can be characterised as Victorian or Edwardian.

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a poorly designed canopy, unrelated to the building

An example of good modern blind design

The original function of blinds was to protectperishable goods from deterioration due tostrong sunlight. This applied particularly tofoodstuffs, but also to other items such astextiles and books which are liable to fade ifexposed to the sun. They also helped to keepthe interior cool, whilst projecting blindshelped to protect passers-by (and potentialcustomers) from the rain.

Early blinds took the form of simple roller or curtainblinds and probably came in during the C18. They mightbe hung either outside or inside the shop window.Projecting roller blinds (of the type we now think of astraditional) go back to the late C18 and were originallyhoused in a box mounted above the cornice. Around themiddle of the C19 the box was integrated into theshopfront itself. Projecting roller blinds have the greatadvantage, practical and visual, of forming an integralpart of the shopfront and of being retractable when notrequired. They form an attractive component of manytraditional shopfronts and generally merit preservationwhere they remain.

In recent years projecting roller blinds have often beenreplaced by so-called Dutch canopies. These form aquadrant in section with the material (usually plastic butsometimes canvas) stretched over a metal frame beneath.The ends may be flat or curved. They are theoreticallyretractable but are usually left in place to advertise theshop concerned. Usually fixed below the fascia, theypresent a three-dimensional appearance which canobscure the proportions and detail of the shopfront itself,as well as spoiling the rhythm of a terrace. They oftenserve little practical purpose (beyond the function ofadvertising) and their use is discouraged by the Council.

The legal position in regard to Dutch canopies is that, ifnot used for advertising puposes, they constitute'development' and normally require planning consent; ifthey carry signage or advertising, they require consentunder the Advertisement Regulations. Where the buildingconcerned is listed, listed building consent will be requiredand would normally be refused.

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��"��#Sadly, the need to provide additional security to retailpremises has become an inescapable fact of modern life.Where once the main threat was the smash-and-grab, todayit is supplemented by the ram-raid and the problem is nolonger confined to high value/low bulk goods such asjewellery but affects many other types of retailer. Late-night vandalism resulting in broken shop windows may bealmost as much of a problem as the actual theft ofmerchandise. The Council appreciates the dilemma facingmany retailers and their insurers, but wishes to maintaintown centres which are attractive to evening window-shoppers and to the general public. A town centre where ahigh proportion of shop windows are hidden behind solidroller shutters has little to attract people in the evening andits very emptiness may encourage criminal activity. Theyalso give thieves who may have broken in at the rear of thepremises a 'clear run' unobserved from the street.

Commonly employed security measures are describedbelow, together with the Council's attitude towards them.

Various types of strengthened glass may be employed togive added security, including safety (toughened) glass,laminated glass, anti-bandit glass and security film appliedto the inside of the glass. All these will normally be accep-table to the Council, with the proviso that security filmshould be uncoloured, except where they would detractfrom the character of an historic shopfront or historic glasswould be lost.

Traditional lifting wooden shutters (increasingly rare) andprupose-made grilles (illustrated below) remain a practicalmeans of providing security where the shopfront can bemade to receive them. Although the former completelyobscure the window display, they are unlikely to be widelyadopted and, as a traditional shopfront elelment, arenormally acceptable to the Council. (Planning consent isrequired for external grilles and shutters.)

Open grilles maintain the interest of town centres and permitwindow shopping at night


Modern roller security grilles are frequently fitted behindthe shop window. These are commonly 'open', often with apattern resembling stretcher-bond brickwork. Another typepresents a solid appearance when seen in daylight but themetal surface is finely perforated, enabling the interior ofthe shop, if lit, to be clearly seen at night through theshutter. The main problem with the latter is on summerevenings when the shop is shut and the grille lowered but itremains light outside, when the effect will be of a solidshutter. The Council will normally have no objection to'open' type grilles. The perforated type may be acceptablein particular circumstances. It is important with all internalsecurity grilles that the roller mechanism is concealed behindthe fascia so that the the retracted shutter is invisible fromthe street.

More recently, some manufacturers have begun to produceexternal roller shutters constructed of sections of poly-carbonate linked by aluminium rods. This gives a highdegree of transparency and will normally be acceptable,provided there is no projecting box.

Some external roller shutters completely obscure the windowdisplay, presenting a totally blank appearance to the street.Whilst protecting the glass itself as well as the merchandise,such shutters have a deadening effect on the appearanceof shopping areas. They always require planning consentand will not normally receive approval.

The general principle is that, except in the caseof listed buildings (where any security measuresapart from strengthened glass are likely torequire listed building consent), any shuttersinstalled behind the glass do not requireplanning consent. External shutters do requireconsent. Nonetheless, for the reasons givenabove, the Council would hope that retailersproposing to install security measures willdiscuss their proposals with its planning staff inan attempt to agree a mutually acceptableproposal.

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A shopfront with hand painted lettering

Simple signage to an Edwardian shopfront

(This guidance sheet should be readin conjunction with SDG7 'Illuminated Signs'.)

Unlike the replacement or alteration ofshopfronts (which always constitutes 'dev-elopment' and thus requires planningconsent) most signage, unless illuminated,enjoys 'deemed consent' under the Advert-isement Regulations*. However, in the caseof listed buildings, new signage which wouldaffect the character or appearance of thebuilding will require listed building consent.

Local planning authorities can designateAreas of Special Control which furtherrestrict the categories of deemed consent.Harrogate District has such an area which,broadly, covers the whole District includingall rural areas, the Stray and Valley Gardensin Harrogate, the riverside and the Castlegrounds in Knaresborough and the Cath-edral precinct in Ripon. The town centres ofHarrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areexcluded.

* Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992

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All outdoor advertisements have a visual impact and theadvertisement control system is intended to help all con-cerned to make a positive contribution to the environment.Retailers must appreciate that their corporate images maynot always be appropriate without modification, whilst local

planning authorities must accept that adequate signage isessential in the competitive environment of modern retailing.

Where shopfronts are of painted timber - in most cases thepreferred material for new shopfronts - the best form ofsignage will usually be hand painted lettering in a traditionaltypeface.

Where a shopfront is very tall, or some other reason makesthe fascia unsuitable for signwriting, suitably sized andproportioned lettering painted directly onto the inside of theshop window may be appropriate.

The next best solution is separate cut-out letters fixedindividually to the fascia. Traditionally made of wood orbronze, today they are more likely to be fabricated fromplastic. Provided they present a matt appearance and arein a suitable colour, such lettering will usually be acceptable.Whole fascias of plastic, whether or not illuminated, are notgenerally acceptable.

It would be undesirable to be too prescriptive as regardsthe choice of lettering as variety makes for visual interestand liveliness in town centres. However, where there is noestablished corporate image involved, a serif style of lettering(such as on 'Laura Ashley') is probably more appropriate ona traditional shopfront: a sans serif style (such as 'Churchills')on a modern shopfront or where it is desired to project amodern image. Unduly "fancy" lettering, or lettering whichis not clearly legible, defeats its own object and is bestavoided.

The height of fascia lettering will normally be determined bythat of the fascia itself and should normally be between athird and half the height of the fascia and centred about itshorizontal axis. This gives a minimum of one third void, one

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Individually attached lettering

The Council recognises the essentialcommercial function of advertisements;the intention of its policies is to controlthe size, number and type of advertise-ments and to seek improvements to theirdesign, in the interests of amenity, withoutdamaging the viability of shops.

third lettering, and one third void or a maximum of a quartervoid, a half lettering and a quarter void. Anything larger orsmaller than this is likely to look either too large orinsignificant in relation to the space available.

Similarly, there should always be a reasonable space ateach end of the fascia so that the lettering does not appear"squashed in". Lettering is normally centred about thevertical axis of the fascia although there may be caseswhere it is desired to 'justify' it to left or right (usually with aview to creating a more 'modern' image or to focus attentionon the entrance - as at 'Churchills' - see photograph overleaf)and there is not necessarily any objection to this. Theseguidelines will normally determine the size of letteringemployed on a traditionally proportioned shopfront. Howeverin the case of modern shopfronts with over-deep fascias,this rule of thumb does not apply and the height of letteringshould not exceed 375mm (15 inches).

Signs should not be displayed on gable ends nor, apartfrom projecting signs, above the level of first floor windowcills. (In these cases consent will be required.) The overallnumber of signs displayed on a building should be such asto avoid giving a cluttered appearance to the building itselfor to the overall street scene.

Strict control is exercised over projecting signs. Advert-isements should relate to the trade being carried out in thepremises rather than for particular products sold. Generallyonly one projecting sign on each shop will be permitted andit should be located so that it relates satisfactorily to therest of the shopfront and building and does not obscureviews from windows or views of existing signs to anunreasonable extent. Projecting 'box' signs, whether or notilluminated, present an ungainly appearance and are rarelyappropriate.

In areas where traditional shopfronts predominate, lightcoloured lettering on a dark background is preferable. Largeareas of bright colours are inappropriate for shopfronts inmuch of the Harrogate District

Except where otherwise indicated, non illuminated signagedoes not normally require consent under the AdvertisementRegulations but retailers are encouraged to exerciserestraint in regard to the colour, size and design of lettering,rather than to engage in uninhibited visual competition withtheir neighbours. It is open to the Council to issue aDiscontinuance Notice where it considers that an advert-isement is seriously injurious to amenity.

The Council will seek the highest standards of designand appearance in respect of l isted buildings, inConservation Areas and in Areas of Special Control andthe vast majority of shops in the District are likely to fall intoone of the above categories. The exceptions are suburbanshops in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon outside theConservation Areas. In these locations the Council maytake a slightly more relaxed attitude.

Traditional hanging signs forming part of a unified scheme

Signage on glass in the absence of a fascia

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ILLUMINATED SIGNSfor the design of shopfronts

Design GuidanceSDG7

As indicated in Guidance Sheet SDG6, most types ofnon-illuminated sign enjoy ‘deemed consent’ under theAdvertisement Regulations. This does not generallyapply to illuminated signs, for which in most cases anadvertisement application must be made. Governmentpolicy on advertising is contained in PPG 19 OutdoorAdvertisement Control. The Council’s policy with regardto the display of illuminated signs (contained in PolicyHD22) is set out under the heading of ‘Harrogate DistrictLocal Plan’ on the first page of this Design Guide.This states that:

‘Strict control over illuminated signs will beexercised, particularly on listed buildings and inconservation areas, residential areas, rural areasand other sensitive locations. Where illuminationis acceptable, signs should be externally illumin-ated unless, in exceptional circumstances, theinternal illumination is by individually illuminatedor ‘halo’ lettering or other discreet method.’

The impact of an illuminated sign upon ‘amenity’ in anyparticular case is not always easy to assess. All toooften the character and appearance of shopping areascan suffer from a competitive rivalry in the matter ofillumination, as different shops in a street feel the need‘to keep up with the Jones’s’, particularly if they are indirect competition with regard to the products sold.

perhaps the most ‘up market’ shopping centre in theregion, whilst Knaresborough and Ripon are importanthistoric towns, and it is therefore important to reinforcethese qualities by setting clear guidelines and limits as towhat is acceptable in terms of illuminated signage.

An illuminated traditional hanging sign.

However, it would be unrealistic to refuse all applicationsfor illuminated signs, particularly in a buoyant town centresuch as Harrogate. Town centre retailers would no doubtargue that they are in competition, not merely with eachother but with out-of-town developments and that adegree of illumination has a part to play in maintainingthe attractiveness and vitality of town centre shopping.For this reason, it is likely that a policy which aimed torefuse consent for all illuminated signs would beunsustainable on appeal. Conversely, Harrogate is

TTTTTypes of illuminationypes of illuminationypes of illuminationypes of illuminationypes of illuminationIn recent years, fashions in signage have moved on andthe internal illumination of entire fascias and projectingbox signs is unacceptable anywhere in the HarrogateDistrict. More acceptable methods of illumination are:

Externalwhere the fascia or hanging sign is illuminated byspotlights.

AdvantagesOverall, the least intrusive method of illumination. Prob-ably the most satisfactory and discreet method of fasciaillumination is by small, projecting halogen fittings abovethe fascia which should normally be painted either blackor the same colour as the fascia itself. In the case oftraditional hanging signs, these can often be discreetlyilluminated from below with small halogen spotlightsmounted on top of the cornice of the shopfront. Altern-atively, halogen fittings projecting from the mountingbracket can be used. This is the only method of illumin-ation which is compatible with traditional shopfronts andhand painted lettering and is probably the least intrusiveduring daylight hours.

External spotlit fascia.

Externally illuminated fascia.

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DisadvantagesThe light fittings required for illumination can oftenappear crude and obtrusive in themselves. The worstoffenders in this respect are swan neck fittings,especially those finished in brass. A continuous troughabove the fascia is not generally favoured as these aredifficult to integrate into a traditional fascia and cornice.They may be more suitable where a new shopfront isproposed and the trough is an integral part of the design.However, troughs are usually used to house fluorescenttubes which tend to give a rather cold and harsh light.At night, where the whole fascia is uniformly illuminated,this can overly concentrate attention on the ground floorof a building, with the result that the upper floors are‘lost’, thus detracting from the architecture of the buildingas a whole. Accordingly, troughs will not normallybe permitted.

Internalwhere individual letters are either fret cut out of anopaque box or mounted individually on the fascia.

AdvantagesFret cut lettering and individually mounted letters, prefer-ably with only their front faces illuminated, can look quiteneat and are not excessively obtrusive.

DisadvantagesIn the case of fascia signs, fret cut lettering would requirea ‘box’ to be mounted on the existing fascia and so issuitable only where the whole shopfront is of moderndesign and the box can be integrated within it. It wouldnot be suitable as a ‘bolt-on’ to a traditional shopfront,partly because the whole box would project and alsobecause an anodised aluminium box would be visuallyincompatible with a timber fascia. It would not normallybe suitable for projecting signs as it would require a boxsign rather than the more preferable traditional hangingsign. Individual letters present a generally similarappearance at night and may be easier to integrate

Boots the Chemist internally illuminated sign.

into an existing shopfront, though the electrical wiringmay be difficult to incorporate neatly. However, individ-ually attached illuminated letters would also normally lookrather out of place on a traditional, timber shopfront.

‘Halo’involving individual letters with solid fronts and sides butopen at the rear, where the light is reflected onto thefascia and presents the letters in silhouette.

AdvantagesOne of the most discreet methods of illuminating fascialettering, it is likely to be acceptable in many locations.

DisadvantagesAs with internally illuminated lettering, ‘halo’ lettering ismore suited to a new or modern shopfront where it canbe fully integrated into the design, rather than to atraditional, timber shopfront where, in daylight, thelettering may appear ‘heavy’ and incongruous.

Policies for different shopping areasDifferent parts of the Harrogate District have their owndistinctive character. With regard to the main towns ofthe District, there are clear differences between Harr-ogate, with its principally Victorian/Edwardian character,the much older market towns of Knaresborough andRipon, and the smaller towns of Boroughbridge, Mashamand Pateley Bridge. It is thus possible to identify ahierarchy of locations, in each of which different criteriafor the illumination of signs should apply. These are setout in the table below, which specifies the locationswhere the different guidelines apply and sets out theconsiderations and policy which apply in them. Theseshould be read in conjunction with the general commentson different types of illumination made in the precedingsection.

An example of halo lighting.

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The principal shoppingstreets of Central Harrogate,essentially the area coveredby Policy S2 on the Harro-gate District Local PlanProposals Map, but excludingthe Montpellier Quarter, LowHarrogate and Prince AlbertRow.

Location Considerations Policy on illuminationIn Harrogate ConservationArea. Some listed buildings.

Harrogate is a buoyant shopping centre and pridesitself on the up-market nature of its shops. Anysignage should contribute to maintaining thatimage.

The following types of illuminated signs will norm-ally be acceptable, subject to detail and to thecharacter of the building and shopfront:

Discreet external illumination of fascias andhanging signs; ‘halo’ lettering to fascias.

Internally illuminated signs, particularly thoseinvolving illumination of the whole fascia will notnormally be permitted.

The specialised shoppingstreets of the MontpellierQuarter, Low Harrogate andPrince Albert Row, dominatedby antique shops and otherspecialised ‘up market’retailers.

In Harrogate ConservationArea. Many listed buildings.

In Low Harrogate, many of the buildings are listedand/or have high quality traditional shopfronts.

There should be a general presumption againstillumination unless a strong case can be made inparticular circumstances. In such cases,illumination should be limited to:


Internally illuminated signs will not be permitted.

Other shopping streetsoutside Harrogate TownCentre, including HighHarrogate, Cold Bath Roadand Kings Road.

Although secondary shoppingareas, High Harrogate, ColdBath Road and Kings Roadare nevertheless withinHarrogate Conservation Area.

Illumination should normally be limited to:


In exceptional cases, the following may bepermitted:

Internal illumination of individual lettersto fascias.

The town centres ofKnaresborough and Ripon(as defined by Policy S2 ofthe Harrogate District Local Plan).

In Knaresbrough and RiponConservation Areas. Manylisted buildings.

The centres of Knaresborough and Ripon are mucholder than Harrogate, buildings on the whole aresmaller and a high proportion are listed. Somegood traditional shopfronts remain. Both townshave benefited from extensive CAP funding inrecent years and Ripon has also benefited fromSRB funding, part of which was focused specificallyon improvements to shopfronts.

To avoid detracting from their historic character andrecent and future improvements, any illuminationshould be limited to:

Discreet external illumination of fascias andhanging signs.

A discreetly illuminated hanging sign.

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Suburban shops inHarrogate, Knaresboroughand Ripon.

Location Considerations Policy on illuminationMay impact on residentialareas.

These are less sensitive than the historic towncentres of the District and the shops fulfil a morelocal need.

Subject to there being no adverse impact onresidential amenity, the following will normally beacceptable:


In exceptional cases, the following may be permitted:

The internal illumination of individual lettersto fascias.

Shopping streets/areas inBoroughbridge, Mashamand Pateley Bridge

In Boroughbridge, Mashamand Pateley BridgeConservation Areas.Many listed buildings.

The centres of the three small towns are sensitivehistoric locations. Boroughbridge has experiencedconsiderable regeneration in recent years. PateleyBridge is a developing tourist and service centre forthe Nidderdale AONB and is likely to experiencefurther grant-aided regeneration. Masham MarketPlace remains one of the gems of the District.

To safeguard these recent improvements and theestablished character of these small towns, there willbe a presumption against illuminated signs. If, inexceptional circumstances, a case for illumination canbe made out, this should be limited to:


Village shops and ‘corner’shops in residential areas.

Some villages areconservation areas.

Illumination of signs in the context of a village orresidential area is rarely likely to be justified,particularly in a conservation area, and applicationswill normally be refused.

Illuminated internal fascias and halo lighting, Harrogate.


This gudiance was created in March 1999; added to in July 2007 (SDG7) and updated in March 2019 (SDGcovz.P65 7/01)

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Shop front design guide - Harrogate

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