Views wanted on Swansea shopfront design guide

A new draft guide has been produced to help raise the design standards of shopfronts across the city.

Swansea Council has put the draft guide together to ensure all aspects of design, security and accessibility are considered by businesses when preparing proposals for new shopfronts in future.

The guide, which is now out for consultation until October 3, is split into eight sections.

When planning new shopfronts, it’s being proposed businesses in all parts of Swansea consider topics including lighting, signage and heritage, as well as the character of their street and surrounding area.

Included in the guide is information on how to make detailed assessments of these topics. Information is also given on conservation areas and listed buildings, as well as shopfront features like windows, materials and colours.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “This new guide has come about thanks to the hard work of staff in our planning service as we try to improve the design standards of both shopfronts and the fronts of other businesses in Swansea.

“It’s clear that a one size fits all approach isn’t going to work for shopfronts everywhere in the city because shops and businesses will differ in terms of their location, status, architecture, history and varying needs for lighting, security, signs and access.

“This guide is intended to help businesses when they’re planning new shopfronts to make sure designs meet the standards required, improve the appearance of the city and are in keeping with areas of special character. Shopfronts are located at eye level, so they often give the first and lasting impression of our commercial areas, helping not just improve their look, but also helping generate footfall and trade.

“But we want feedback on the guide before a final version is put forward for potential approval as Supplementary Planning Guidance, which is why we’d encourage shop owners and other businesspeople to have a look and share their views with us by October 3.”

Visit www.swansea.gov.uk/shopfrontspg to see the draft guide.

The venue, date and time of a presentation about the draft guide will also be confirmed on the website once the details have been confirmed.

Comments can be made by emailing designswansea@swansea.gov.uk or writing to Planning Services (Shop Front Design Guide), Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN.

The guide also includes pointers on other shopfront features including advertising boards and