Chapter 22 Roots And Records, 8 Broad Street, City Centre

8 Broad Street forms one half of a Grade II pair of late 18th century terraced shops situated within the commercial core of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. It forms the setting for a high concentration of Grade II terraced buildings along Broad Street of a varied age, from early 18th century to mid- to late 19th century, and is positioned directly adjacent to the Grade II* Old King Edward’s School.

Due to the building’s location within the commercial centre of the Bath conservation area, and retained use of traditional shop front vernacular, the shop frontage is expected to comply with relevant guidance regarding the appropriate use of materials, colours, and a lack of illuminated signage, in keeping with the wider historic character of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site.

We do not condone works to listed buildings without having first obtained the appropriate listed building consent.
We are supportive of the proposed repainting of the timber fascia and hand lettered signage which would sustain the traditional shopfront character of the area. Whilst currently unspecified, a matte finish to the timber shopfront would be preferable.

Further material details regarding the proposed hanging sign should be clarified; this should be timber and hand painted in accordance with established projecting signage within the city centre. Typically, the principle of hanging signage at first floor level is not considered acceptable, but we appreciate that the proposed sign would use an existing bracket already in situ.

BPT maintains that window vinyls and displays can enliven and energise the street scene but they should not be excessive in size or window coverage. This has been addressed in the revised shopfront proposals where the proposed vinyls have been reduced in size, but we suggest that the number of vinyls could be reduced.