Savers, in Market Place, had its plans to renovate the shopfront – including new entrance doors, security shutters and tiling – refused by Havering Council.
The town centre store is in a locally listed building, and the council’s planning team decided that the proposed new shopfront would have an “adverse and unacceptable impact” on the building’s character.
Part of the planning application included moving the entrance doors from the centre to the right hand side, as well as new sash work and stall risers – bringing the shop window forward.
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The planning officer’s report said that this would create an “asymmetrical” store front and therefore “negatively impact the building’s architectural interest”, according to a heritage advisor.
Savers falls within Romford Conservation Area – which protects Market Place and old buildings nearby – alongside St Edward’s Church, The Lamb and The Golden Lion.
Proposals for new shopfront designs should ideally “preserve or enhance” this area, and the planning team concluded the new Savers design would not do this.
Other Market Place buildings, such as The Lamb pub, have also had refurbishment plans refused due to concerns they would “harm” the character of the area.
