Civic Society raises shopfront concerns

Hertford Civic Society has written to East Herts Council expressing concerns about the appearance of shopfronts in the Town Centre conservation zone.

The town centre is a conservation zone and is subject to planning restrictions to preserve the town's special architectural and historic character.

The Society highlights a number of premises that it believes are not in keeping with the character of the town centre, including the recently opened Hertford International Food Centre in Railway Street, Hertford Tech & Vape, also in Railway Street; and Slice City in Honey Lane, which retains illuminated signage, despite planning permission having been refused.

Other shopfronts that have been altered without planning permission have also drawn The Society's attention, including Meet The Vegans restaurant in Old Cross and Mad Squirrel in Railway Street.

In an email to East Herts Council's planning department, The Society says: "Our conservation area is being blighted by inappropriate shop fronts, the below have already been drawn to planning enforcement's attention but cummulatively they are having an adverse impact on the look and feel of our town.

"There are of course examples of thoughtfully decorated shop fronts which are to be commended but failure to grip the situation now will ultimately be detrimental to all.

"The character of the conservation area needs to be preserved, what can EHDC do to proactively ensure that this is the case? One suggestion would be to liaise with letting/property agents so that they can ensure tenants are aware of their responsibilities in advance. Viability of shopping areas are achieved in part by having a high quality environment which attracts new businesses, visitors and shoppers."

Hertford Civic Society was founded in 1969 to counter major development proposals damaging to the local environment and community. Every few years, The Society presents awards to the best new buildings and major architectural redevelopments within the town.