Shop Owner Angry After Being Ordered To Remove Signs

A Market Harborough business owner has hit out at council officials after being ordered to remove signs from near his shop.

They had been up near Randalls sweet shop on Adam and Eve Street for over four years, but were deemed out-of-keeping with the area and without the necessary permissions.

Harborough District Council launched an investigation after receiving a complaint about the signage, which was at the entrance to the shop’s warehouse.

Jarrod Burke beside where one of the signs used to be

The council has allowed one sign to remain and is working with the owner of the building in a bid to restore a ‘ghost sign’ which was revealed when one of the Randalls signs was removed.

Randalls owner and independent retailer Jarrod Burke spoke to HFM:

The signage before it was removed

A council spokesperson told HFM: “The council received a complaint relating to advertisement signage at the entrance to Sulley’s Yard on Adam and Eve Street, where Randalls UK was situated before it relocated to its current premises.

“The council’s planning enforcement investigation found the signs did not have advertisement consent and the company owner was asked to remove this unauthorised signage.

“During the course of the investigation the council was made aware that the Randalls UK storage facility is located on Sulley’s Yard.

“Through liaison with the company owner the council agreed that one directional sign would be permitted to remain to assist with deliveries.

“When the signage was removed by the company owner, a ‘ghost sign’ (an old hand-painted advertising sign that has faded over time) was revealed.

“The council is working closely with the owner of the building to seek permission to restore the old sign to its original condition to add to the heritage of the town centre.

“Other ‘ghost signs’ have been restored in the town in recent years including the ‘Taylors’ sign on the building to the left of the one occupied by Randalls UK.”