Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035

Q16 Shop fronts

  • On existing premises the council will seek the retention of historic shop fronts or those of architectural quality or any features of interest that survive on premises (including historic shop signage). These should be retained, refurbished and sympathetically incorporated into new work even when changes of use are proposed.
  • Designs should:
    • integrate well into the host building, respecting the scale, style and general building forms;
    • use robust, carefully detailed (for aesthetics and weathering) materials – timber framing normally being required for heritage assets;
    • reinstate lost features which are characteristic on similar adjoining premises;
    • be carefully considered with large, generous shop windows, adequate entrance doors, good proportions, careful detailing;
    • maintain/include independent access to upper floor accommodation from the street frontage as part of an integrated design;
    • have level entrances where possible; where ramps are required they should be internal except in exceptional circumstances. Materials and finishes should be appropriate and of high quality;
    • permanently display the property numbers of the shop and any accommodation at the entrances;
    • provide a dedicated place for a signage fascia above the shop front (not encroach above ground floor level), defined by permanent, integrated architectural detailing - on new-build development a projecting band or cornice should be built into the façade to clearly demark a line between fascia and the floor above;
    • incorporate security measures in an integrated design (internally where possible) in order to avoid the need for external retrofitting; and
    • not have solid or perforated roller shutters or exposed, externally-mounted shutter housings.
  • The council seeks to protect the open, uncluttered character of commercial forecourts. Boundary treatments, enclosures, screening shelters etc will be resisted where their impact is considered harmful.

For more information please see the Local Plan