Planning application submitted for new signs at Pinders Opticians, Southwell

A town-centre opticians is aiming to spruce up its signage while honouring its historical building.

Pinders Opticians, on Queen Street, Southwell, submitted a planning application in February for new signs at its premises.

It is set to be discussed by Southwell Town Council’s planning and highways committee tomorrow (Wednesday, March 3).

The plans propose two new signs on the western side of the building, one on the higher wall reading ‘Pinders’ in white acrylic lettering and a lower sign above the bay window reading ‘Our focus is you’ and ‘pindersopticians.co.uk’ which would replace an existing wooden sign.

The company stated: “This is a homage to the age and the heritage of the building as it draws its inspiration from the ghost signs that would have adorned local buildings at the time it was a blacksmith.”

At the front of the building, a replacement hanging sign and another sign reading ‘Our focus is you’ and ‘pindersopticians.co.uk’ are planned for the brick gable end.

A dark blue panel with white lettering reading ‘Pinders’ is planned to be attached to the existing handrail by the entrance to the building. Another handrail is available for customers to use.

The final signs are planned for the white rendered part of the building, to replace the aging wooden sign, and would again read ‘Our focus is you’ and ‘pindersopticians.co.uk’.

The opticians’ design statement suggested that the locations of signs currently, either side of the entrance on parts of the building which were not accessible was misleading and are in disrepair, “adversely affecting the business and the Southwell shopping area”.

The plans attracted support from a neighbour, who commented on the application and said: “This all looks very sensible and in keeping with the town. It should make it much clearer for customers accessing the building.”

However, it attracted opposition from Southwell Civic Society which suggested it was not in keeping with the town.

The society said the signs should be hand painted on a timber backing, and added: “The photomontage shows blue paintwork going almost up to the first storey window dominating the adjacent property. It appears that the sign will be painted directly on the wall. The blue painting should be terminated at the sill that protects the shop window from water ingress and the sign should stand alone as existing.”

It strongly objected to the entry sign on the hand railing.

The society stated: “It is too large, too bright and uses unsuitable materials. It is totally an inappropriate place for a sign.

“We would question the necessity for such dominant signage for a professional facility.”