The Beaufort Bookshop, 1 Beaufort Place, Lambridge, Bath

1 Beaufort Place forms part of a Grade II terrace of early 19th century houses situated within the Larkhall character area of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. The residential terrace runs north to south and noted for its modest scale and character, compiled of a series of two-storey stepped residential dwellings bookended by two shop units at Nos. 1-2, and a converted public house at No. 11. No. 1 Beaufort Place, whilst comparatively architecturally modest, forms an active part of Larkhall’s localised high street with associated high social significance. It retains additional visual prominence within the streetscape due to its corner location on the junction to the entrance to Larkhall Garage, resulting in a dual frontage. The north end of the building already features a timber wall-mounted sign at first floor level to advertise the adjacent Larkhall Garage.

Due to the building’s location within the Bath conservation area, prominent position along a local high street, 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 acknowledge that there is a precedent for this signage type within this area, albeit with some examples of wall-mounted signage being more successful and in-keeping with their historic context than others.

However, we have some concerns regarding the addition of further signage to this elevation and the resulting visual cluttering of a listed building. There would also be associated harm to historic fabric due to the relocation of the existing Larkhall Garage sign, necessitating further screw holes into historic stonework.

There is insufficient justification of the proposed works; the existing hanging sign outside of the premises allows for signage visible from the east and west approaches along the high street, and therefore additional signage is not considered to signify further public benefit. We therefore encourage consideration of an appropriate volume and scale of signage which would appropriately balance against, rather than overwhelm, the special architectural interest of the listed building.