Shop fined over 'unattractive' roller shutter

Reading Borough Council said the rules were in place "to preserve the character of our high streets"

A shop has been fined and ordered to remove an "unattractive" roller shutter after failing to comply with conservation area regulations.

J&B Shisha & Charcoal on Reading's Oxford Road was prosecuted after repeatedly ignoring warnings from the borough council.

The authority said it did "not want to see any local business taken to court" but that planning legislation was in place "to promote and preserve the character of our high streets".

The business, which pleaded guilty to ignoring an enforcement notice, was fined £666 by Reading magistrates and ordered to pay £1,505 in prosecution costs and a £266 victim surcharge.

Councillor Micky Leng, of Reading Borough Council, said: "While they have a purpose, roller shutters are an unattractive addition to conservation areas and will be strictly controlled by the council's planning enforcement team.

"A well designed shopfront is one of the most effective advertisements to residents and visitors."

The council said it had suggested the installation of an internal shutter to reduce the risk of crime without compromising the area's character.

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