Signs of trouble in store for restaurant

An Indian restaurant has fallen foul of a sign of the times – or seven of them to be exact.

For councillors have deemed the signs at the Spice Bazaar near Stafford to be inappropriate for the former village inn that dates from the 17th Century.

They have now voted to take enforcement action to get the unsuitable "non-historic" signs removed.

Stafford Borough Council's development control committee voted 10-1 in favour of taking action up to court proceedings to get the seven signs taken down at the restaurant in Main Road, Seighford.

Senior planning officer Matt Ellis said inappropriate materials had been used for the signs on the former Hollybush Inn which is a Grade II listed building.

"They are covering up the historic features," he said. The signs including three illuminated ones, two non-illuminated and two banner signs.

Only Councillor Geoff Collier spoke in favour of the signs, saying he could see nothing wrong with the name signs at either gable. "I can't see those signs are detrimental," he added.

The Hollybush Inn was converted into an Indian restaurant last year after being bought by Rois Miah, who also owns the Balti Bazaar in Lye near Stourbridge. Letters requesting an advertisement consent application and application for listed building consent be submitted for the illuminated and non-illuminated signs were sent out by the council.

The listed building application was refused in January because the acrylic materials used are non-historic with flat reflective surfaces that detract from the historic timber and painted brickwork. Advertisement consent was also refused on the same grounds.

The owner has not removed the signs and the two additional signs have also been put up and a request for a fresh application for an alternative scheme for the signs has been ignored.

The timber-framed building was listed in May last year.

The oak wall structure has handmade red brick nogging panels and the roof structure is oak. Many of the roof timbers are still the original 17th Century ones.

The Hollybush Inn was built in 1675, probably as a dwelling, but possibly originally serving as a house incorporating a beerhouse.