Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Bank’s neon lights criticised as ‘crass’ and ‘downmarket’
A concerned shopper says neon lights at the city’s newest bank belong in Piccadilly Circus – not the heart of Canterbury.
Sian Pettman, of Market Way, is bewildered as to how Metro Bank’s “crass” exterior lighting was approved by councillors.
She says the signage of the St George’s Street branch, which is electronically illuminated all day and night, is a striking eyesore in the city’s historic centre.
Mother-of-three Mrs Pettman said: “It shocks me that such inyour-face signage was approved – it looks very downmarket.
“The Metro Bank is in a prominent position in the city centre and it’s a large site with a large frontage.
“The neon lights are crass. I’m quite light sensitive and I find the brightness striking – it makes the exterior lights at Mcdonald’s seem relatively tame in comparison.
“They would fit in at Piccadilly Circus but not here in Canterbury.”
The city’s Metro Bank opened in November, the latest of more than 50 outlets across the country.
Mrs Pettman, who co-ordinates litter-picks in the city, is now anxious neon lighting will become a more common fixture.
She said: “Is this an appropri- ate direction for the council to follow?
“I think more attention should be paid to the shop fronts in the planning process as these neon lights could unfortunately set a benchmark for others to follow.
“It is not what I would expect or want going forward as they do not enhance the area or fit with its ambience.”
But Cllr Ben Fitter-harding, chairman of the regeneration and property committee on the council, said the lights had actually been toned down from the original plans.
He explained: “From memory the original proposals were far more crass.
“Their branding will never be to everyone’s taste, but it’s more suitable for Canterbury than many of their other branch designs.”
In defence of its vibrant lights, the Metro Bank says it aims to create a good first impression with its customers.
A spokesman said: “We search for the best sites in every town and invest heavily to ensure they exceed our customers’ expectations. So, from the very first encounter people have with the bank, they see a bright, airy and most importantly, welcoming banking-hall.”
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