SHOP FRONTS
Cornice
Cottingham Shopfront Pattern Book Improvement of the shopping environment was identified by residents as a long-term priority for Cottingham in the 2009 Cottingham Community Plan and in the initial design handbook workshop which took place as part of the neighbourhood planning process . The character and quality of Cottingham’s traditional shopping streets are becoming compromised due to unsympathetic alterations to shopfronts. This pattern guide sets out some key considerations and specific requirements, the objective of which is to improve the landscape of Cottingham Village centre through the long-term implementation of a common shopfront guide. Guidelines are intended to give guidance about certain aspects of shopfront design for the use of both shop owners and shopfront designetrs, to ensure that new development and refurbishments are appropriate. They are intended to allow diversity while promoting good design, to ensure that Cottingham remains a high quality environment for residents and visitors alike.
Cottingham Colour Chart (Draft)
Capital
Transom Light Transom Mullion
Fanlight Pilaster
Stallriser
Door to upper floors
Terminology of basic shopfront elements
Construction Form and Materials
Stallrisers
Signage
Problem: Shopfronts that do not relate to the building above or the scale, hierarchy and architecture of the street.
Problem: Uncoordinated and poorly maintained stallrisers.
Problem: Untidy, large and uncoordi- Problem: Shops entrances can be Problem: Solid external barriers nated signage that does not relate to difficult to navigate for people with which have a deadening visual effect impairments. traditional shopfronts. on shopping streets and can invite graffiti. Aims: to de-clutter the shopping Aim: to permit safe and convenient access for all. streets from untidy signage. Aims: To retain security while reducing the amount of external solid barriers.
Aims: To allow for diversity in shopfront design while ensuring that repair work and new shopfront design relate to existing buildings. Do Retain, and restore if necessary, the framework and features of Cottingham’s Victorian and Wdwardian shopfronts where they still exist. New shopfronts can be incorporated within this framework. Redundant fixtures and fittings may be removed but seek advice first. Ensure designs are in keeping with the surrounding scale and relate to the composition of the building above. Ensure that the building and details above the shop front be respectful to the history of the building with traditional details and colours/materials retained.
Aim: To unify the design of stall risers and retain original design where possible.
Do Retain stallrisers and keep to existing height for traditional shopfronts. Make efforts to align stallriser depths with neighbouring shopfronts. Keep stallrisers below or level with the base of pilasters, or approximately 450mm in height. There may be cases where the stallriser could be higher, so seek advice first. Construct using substantial materials that are compatible with the shopfront frame and upper building.
Do Ensure that any fascia or projecting signs are located within the traditional fascia level and are appropriately positioned and illuminated for the locality. Generally the depth of the fascia should not exceed one quarter of the height from the pavement level to the underside of the fascia. Make sure that text takes up a maximum of 80% of the fascia area to allow the background colour and details to be appreciated.
Security and Shutters
Access
Do Attempt to maintain a clear opening width of 900mm to allow for a self-propelled wheelchair. The absolute minimum clear opening width should be 750mm. Emphasise the location of shop entrances through the use of contrasting colours and textures between pavement, entrance and the rest of the shop front.
Shopfronts that combine two or more shop units that disrupt the vertical emphasis of traditional streets. Retain or introduce an intervening pilaster and break the fascia to ensure the shopfront relates the surrounding buildings.
Consider a combination of internal grilles behind glazing and external grilles across recessed areas.
Open grilles allow the shop display to be seen outside opening hours
Tidy up cables and untidy finishes of upper storeys.
Fussy detailing that is difficult to clean and maintain.
Consider lattice grill located behind glazing with concealed housing.
Carefully detail cornices to give protection and depth to the shopfront.
Choose a minimum of 80% of colours from the colour pallet.
Avoid Natural or anodised aluminium which weathers badly and is not acceptable for shopfront frames, doors or windows.
Do Utilise security glass in place of shutters where possible.
Consider painted timber fascias on 19th Century buildings. Choose a minimum of 80% of colours from the colour pallet.
Choose materials that are durable and easy to maintain.
Well designed shop fronts and signage
Fascia
Corbel
900mm clear opening
Avoid Fussy detailing that is difficult to clean and maintain. Using laminates and aluminium.
Avoid Attention seeking large signs. Signage that is disrespectful to neighbouring shopfronts. Putting signage, stickers and posters directly onto glazing. Signage above fascia level. Posters that are permanently in the shopfront.
Avoid Doors that are difficult to identify by partially sighted people- plate glass doors may confuse the partially sighted.
Avoid Solid external shutters which have deadening effect on street and can invite graffiti and flyposting.
Heavy manual doors.
External roller shutters that are not of open grille type.
Unlit external entrance recesses. Unnecessary steps and obstructions into a shop. Where steps are unavoidable consider a non-slip ramp with a maximum gradient of 1:12.
Using too many materials.
Badly designed shop fronts and signage References: Shopfront Design Guide, Islington Council Historic Town Guide : Book of Details and Good practice in Shopfront Design Shopfront Design Guide: Supplementary Planning Guidance Hackney Environmental Services produced by the conservation and design team, London Borough of Hackney
Closed grilles have a deadening effect