Salon boss forced to cut out colour
A salon boss who got “carried away” giving his business a remake has been forced to scrap the bold design.
Riccardo Corvi turned his Rainbow Room outlet in Ayr a vision of bright blue.
But following a complaint to South Ayrshire Council, the colour on the listed building is set to be washed out.
Ricardo, who’s run the popular Cathcart Street business for 16 years, said: “I have to hold my hands up and say this is my fault.
“In trying to bring a bit of positivity to our surroundings, I charged ahead without thinking I might need to gain planning permission.
“My girlfriend is a painter and, during the summer, had a new colour in her test palette she wanted to try out.
“I absolutely loved it and wanted it for our shop frontage.
“Unfortunately it has been pointed out by someone to the council.
“In fairness, they are only doing their job and applying the correct rules.”
Ricardo added: “We’ve tried our best throughout the last few months to stay positive and keep business as strong as can be.
“We used our grant at the start of lockdown to reinvest in the business and, where possible, use South Ayrshire businesspeople and keep money in the community. But I suppose after that I got a wee bit excited by doing the colour at the front of the shop.
“It’s just a shame as we’ve had a lot of comments saying how much it brightens the street and adds to the town, but those are the rules.”
A council spokesperson said: “Following a complaint, we contacted the occupier to highlight that the building in question, is a listed building in a conservation area.
“This means any repainting of frontages including doors, requires planning permission and listed building consent, neither of which have been sought or granted.
“We have suggested that the shopfront is repainted in a more muted colour scheme.”