Bank ‘bucks trend’ New signs agreed ahead of opening
INITIAL plans to turn a popular fashion chain branch in the centre of Cheltenham to a bank have been approved.
Proposals for changes to River Island’s shopfront in the High Street were submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council, including new signage and logo door handles for Metro Bank.
Canada Life Investments, which owns The Regent Arcade, has exchanged contracts with Metro Bank on the 13,000 sq ft High Street unit, which is currently let to River Island.
The borough council’s planning committee unanimously approved the new frontage at a meeting last week.
It is not yet clear if River Island will relocate in Cheltenham.
The works are proposed in connection with a change of use for the unit from A1 retail to an A2 bank.
Members of the committee were supportive of the new bank, saying its opening was “bucking the trend” of national closures.
However, some were concerned about the visual effect as plans for a new glass frontage for the Regent Arcade were won on appeal, as well as the new glass John Lewis further down High Street. Liberal Democrat councillor Victoria Atherstone (St Peters) said: “It would be a shame for the High Street to become a sheet of glass.”
Councillor John Payne (People Against Bureaucracy, Prestbury) said: “It appears as elected members we are having less and less say in how our high street looks. You really can’t compare this to John Lewis.
“John Lewis is stylish, but this is a brutal shopfront. I am going to vote for it to avoid going to appeal.”
In a report presented to the committee, council officers said the proposed signage is “acceptable”, however.
It said: “The signage is commensurate with the width of the proposed unit; there are a number of buildings within the vicinity whereby the fascia signage extends the full width of the building and is repetitive in its content.
“Additionally, the glass-mounted signage at first floor is reflective of the signage recently implemented on the nearby Next retail store, and that proposed to the new Regent Arcade entrance.”
Metro Bank, founded in 2010, promotes itself as different to other high street banks, opening seven days a week, and from 8am to 8pm on weekdays.
It appears as elected members we are having less and less say in how our high street looks Councillor John Payne