Copeland Council has adopted a document that will help improve the quality of shopfronts in Copeland’s towns and villages.
The Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document will help ensure attractive, effective and appropriate shopfronts are provided and maintained, the authority said.
The draft document was agreed by councillors in April, and a six-week consultation was launched to give residents, businesses and interested parties the opportunity to comment on a draft before a final version was produced.
An adoption statement will now be produced by Copeland Council’s strategic planning team and the final document will now be used to guide future decision-making.
The document identifies key elements of shopfronts, and provides a history of how they have evolved over time, to give owners and businesses an understanding of their buildings and their frontages.
It then highlights good practice and things that should be embraced – or avoided – by anyone maintaining or providing a new shopfront in order to maximise the effectiveness of the business and the building.
Councillor Andy Pratt, portfolio holder for environment, place and inclusive communities, said: “Good quality environments can significantly boost the attractiveness of a place.
“Our Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document will help ensure attractive and effective shopfronts are provided and maintained in order to support the vitality of our town centres and villages.
“Attractive shopfronts have the benefits of drawing customers into the premises as well as improving the wider public realm and quality of our street scenes.”
