B&M told to remove 'garish' signs in town centre

B&M has been told to remove signage from its store in Bedford town centre

Retailer B&M has been told to take down "garish, obtrusive" signs that were put up without permission in a town conservation area.

It appealed against an enforcement notice by Bedford Borough Council after complaints about its town centre store, but a planning inspector upheld the decision.

The retailer must now remove the existing signage, which was put up in November 2023 at the shop on Midland Road.

B&M said: "We are working closely with the council to agree a new replacement scheme."

B&M has been told by government planners it must take its existing signage down

Enforcement notices are issued when development or signage breaches planning control.

The council previously asked the retailer to remove its vinyl signs and box tray fascia signs, but B&M appealed.

Councillors were told at a planning committee on Monday that the government's planning inspector had dismissed the bid.

A report said the inspector found the vinyls had "a bleak and visually uninteresting appearance" and the fascias were "garish, prominent and obtrusive".

It said the signs did not preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Bedford Conservation Area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The store was previously occupied by Marks & Spencer, which used a scaled back version of its typical sign

While the inspector recognised there were benefits associated with the retail use of the building, he concluded they did not outweigh the great weight to be afforded to the conservation of heritage assets.

Councillors praised the enforcement team's work, highlighting the role it played in tackling unauthorised development and improving the borough's appearance.

"We'd be lost without them," said Lib Dem councillor Leigh Coombs.

A spokesperson for B&M said: "B&M is proud to be one of Bedford's major employers, with over 1,450 colleagues working in the area.

"Our Midland Road store remains open for customers.

"While we disagree with the comments made by the planning inspector, we are working closely with the council to agree a new replacement scheme."