Shop told it can keep Union Jack flag on window

Cookies' Corner has been told it can keep union jack artwork on its windows

A sandwich shop has said it has been allowed to keep a Union Jack flag and a St George's flag on its windows following a battle with the council.

Cookies' Corner, in Station Road, New Milton, said on Friday they had been told by New Forest District Council that artwork stuck on their windows with adhesive vinyl did not have planning permission.

A social media post from the family-owned sandwich shop, which is run by Nina Stevenson, said they felt the artwork featuring the flags should be "celebrated not censored".

A spokesperson from New Forest District Council said the owners were told that adverts they had displayed did not have planning permission, but the flags could remain.

The council explained it had investigated following a complaint from a member of the public and found that one of the advisements showed two figures and a slogan, which was "unauthorised under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

"In accordance with our Local Enforcement Plan, the proprietor was requested to remove the unauthorised advertisements, or to seek advertisement consent retrospectively for their continued display.

"Since the council contacted the proprietor, the poster featuring two figures and a slogan has been removed and replaced by a union flag," it said.

The council was then "content" that there was no longer a breach, it added.