Government reporter tells supermarket to remove its big red sign

Company intends to return to planning committee with new proposal

A Perth supermarket has been instructed by the Scottish Government to take down the sign at its new store.

The Food Warehouse opened in Perth in May, occupying one of the revamped units at St Catherine’s Retail Park that formerly housed B&Q.

At the start of the year, the firm approached the council’s planning department with proposals for bright red signs on two sides of the unit.

However, the local authority had issues with the illuminated sign on the southern side of the building.

Planning officers told the company no consent would be granted for the high level wall-mounted illuminated sign on the southern side.

However, the signs stayed up while the firm waited on a decision from Holyrood’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.

Government officials have now backed the council in demanded the sign is brought down.

Government reporter Amanda Chisholm said: “The impression in St Catherine’s North is one of a vibrant retail area with a significant amount of signage, leading to some visual clutter in one or two locations.

“In contrast, in the environs of the roundabout, there is relatively little signage and the impression is visually calmer.

“The disparity in size is immediately apparent to the observer, being the same size as the main signs over the shop doorways.”

City centre councillor Andrew Parrott believes allowing the sign to remain would have set a precedent.

He said: “The Scottish Government siding with the council indicates that we made the right decision.

“Branding premises is part of life but there needs to be a reasonable limit to the amount of advertising which is permissible.

“This isn’t about stopping The Food Warehouse from advertising, which they still are, but about making sure other businesses in the retail park aren’t disadvantaged.

“This was a finely-balanced decision and allowing the signs would have set a precedent for other businesses across the city.”

A spokesperson for Iceland Foods said: “We note the dismissal of our appeal relating to a single illuminated sign at The Food Warehouse in Perth, and will be submitting an alternative proposal to replace this.”

“Branding premises is part of life, but there needs to be a reasonable limit to the amount of advertising which is permissible. COUNCILLOR ANDREW PARROTT

Picture: Angus Findlay. Planners objected to the illuminated sign on the south side of the building.