Policy information sourced from the Guildford Local Plan: Develpment Managment Policies

D9: Shopfront Design and Security

Shopfronts are required to be designed to a high quality, including being responsive to, and where possible enhancing the character and appearance of their surrounding context and the building it forms part of. Development proposals are also required to contribute to the continued preservation or enhancement of the Borough’s heritage assets, with their design having been informed by relevant national and local design guidance.

All new and alterations to shopfronts are expected to use high quality sustainable materials and to be of a design that retains, or relates well to the proportion, scale, detailing, period and character of the host building as a whole, as well as the wider street scene. Unless the architecture of the building indicates otherwise, new and replacement shopfronts are required to include as a minimum the following features within their design:

  • Fascia
  • Pilasters
  • Cornice
  • Stall riser(s)
  • Retail window(s)
  • Doorway

Shopfronts that contribute positively to the established character and appearance of the building they form part of, the surrounding context or which are identified as being of architectural or historic interest must be retained or restored.

Original features and details, including but not limited to fascias, pilasters, transoms, mullions and stall-risers, are expected to be retained where they are of architectural or historic interest, or where they contribute positively to the character and appearance of the street scene or area. Where a shop occupies the ground floor of more than one building, the design and proportions of each shopfront is expected to relate to each individual building. Single shopfronts that span two or more buildings, disregarding architectural detail and decoration will not be supported.

Shopfronts are expected to present an active frontage to the street scene at all times and ensure access for all.

Where security is essential, preference will be given to internal open mesh grilles. Where it is demonstrated that additional security is necessary, following the consideration first of other measures such as security glazing, security lighting and closed-circuit TV & alarm systems, external open mesh grilles may be supported. The housing for retractable open mesh grilles should be integrated into the shopfront façade. Planning permission for external solid shutters that obscure the shopfront will be refused.

Blinds, canopies, awnings or any such similar device affixed to a shopfront are expected to meet the following criteria:

  • the size, colour, design and materials are appropriate to the character and features of the building, and the character and appearance of the area;
  • the housing unit of retractable canopies is recessed inconspicuously or integrated into the plane of the shopfront and painted in a colour to match; and
  • the housing unit does not obscure features of architectural or historic interest when fixed to the building; and by reason of height or degree of projection it does not interfere with free pedestrian or traffic movement.

For more information please see the Local Plan