Turkish Barber Ordered to Tear Down 'Garish' Neon Sign in Historic Morpeth
A Turkish barber in the medieval market town of Morpeth, Northumberland, has been ordered to remove its 'garish' neon shopfront sign after planners ruled it harms the area's historic character. Karwan Ibrahimi, 27, who runs Turkish Barber 2, applied for advertisement consent in December for the bright orange sign that has been in place for over five years.
Council Planners Reject Sign as 'Visually Intrusive'
Northumberland County Council planners refused the application, stating the sign's 'unsympathetic design' with 'overly bold colours' fails to 'respect the established character' of the site. The area is surrounded by Grade II listed buildings, and officials described the neon frontage as 'visually intrusive and out of keeping' with its historic surroundings.
The planning report emphasised: 'The signage appears overly dominant within the streetscape and does not relate sensitively to the established form, proportions, or materials of surrounding area and listed buildings.'
Local Residents Voice Strong Objections
The application attracted 31 objections from Morpeth residents, who branded the sign an 'eyesore' and suggested it belonged in 'Las Vegas or Blackpool'. Howard Bradwick, 59, commented: 'I'm all for supporting small businesses, but the sign makes it stand out like a sore thumb.'
Other residents echoed similar concerns:
- Andy Rayner called it 'a complete eyesore and not in keeping with the aesthetic of the town.'
- Karen Charlton said the design 'does not contribute to the built environment' and its lighting 'visually harms the ambience of the town centre.'
- Michael Blackburn warned it could 'set a dangerous precedent, resulting in more similar applications, which would completely change the street scene.'
Barber Owner Expresses Frustration and Fear for Business
Mr Ibrahimi expressed confusion and concern over the decision, stating he had received no direct communication from the council about the refusal or what alternatives might be acceptable. 'If the council told me what needed doing, I would do my best to accommodate their requests,' he said, adding that Morpeth is beautiful and he wants to stay.
'Times are really hard, yet all we've had is problems with the council over our business. We are just trying to earn a living,' Mr Ibrahimi lamented. He also questioned why the sign, which had been up for over five years, only became an issue now.
Signage Vital for Small Business Survival
In a statement earlier this year, Turkish Barber 2 stressed the importance of clear signage for attracting customers, particularly newcomers or passers-by. They argued it supports footfall, promotes services, and ensures fair competition on the high street, calling it 'a key part of how we attract customers and maintain the viability of the business.'
Morpeth Town Council reiterated its support for new businesses but emphasised protecting the town's historic nature, which they believe contributes to a thriving high street. The final decision rests with Northumberland County Council councillors, leaving the barber's future signage uncertain as it navigates planning regulations and community aesthetics.
