Jul 15, 2009

Shop keepers told to change paint colourBy AshbourneNewsTelegraph.co.uk

Liz Massey and Sheila Beech, who own Past To Present, could be forced to redecorate their shop front in Church Street after completing the makeover without planning permission.

The business partners had called on Derbyshire Dales District Council to advise on installing a hand rail for elderly and disabled customers but later found themselves slapped with a letter over breaking the conservation area rules.

Planning chiefs have now informed them the light blue colour, which has been visible for the past year, is not ‘in keeping’ with the Victorian-style colour scheme and retrospective planning permission will be denied.

However, customers have rallied round the shop owners in protest at the news and in the space of just three days more than 90 people have put their names to a petition.

Mrs Beech, 57, said: “It appears we would only be allowed to paint the shop in a dark Victorian colour and while we appreciate fully that the rules are there for a reason, we do believe that sometimes common sense needs to be used as well.

“We opened our shop late summer, in the depths of a major recession, and at a time when businesses are struggling. We carefully chose a colour that we felt made our shop noticeable, but one that was also tasteful and in keeping with the property we also chose a colour that we felt complemented our neighbouring properties as well.” Mrs Massey, 37, said: “In these particularly difficult times we think the district council should be helping local businesses not hindering them with unnecessary obstacles.

“We are heavily relying on our trade increasing year by year, but instead we fear we will have to spend money on having the front redecorated. We have had positive feedback from our customers who think the town would look drab if they were all painted dark colours.

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