A Penrith takeaway is the latest town centre business to seek retrospective planning approval for four illuminated signs which have already been installed at its town centre premises, as Penrith Town Council continues to raise objections to “garish” and “out of character” shop signage in the town centre.
My Kebab, at 37 Middlegate is the latest business to submit a retrospective application to Westmorland and Furness Council for advertisement consent covering three illuminated fascia signs and one illuminated projecting sign.
The application is retrospective, with the signage already in place and the application is seeking permission for it to remain.
The property sits within Penrith Conservation Area, making the appearance and design of signage an important consideration in determining the application.
A Heritage Statement submitted with the application argues that the signs are confined to the existing commercial frontage and shopfront level, with no impact on the upper floors or roofscape of the building.
It says the illumination is contained within the signs and has been designed without excessive glare or light spill, with no flashing, moving or intermittent elements.
The statement argues that the signage supports the continued commercial use of the premises, provides clear identification and wayfinding for customers and contributes to the vitality of the town centre.
It concludes that the proposal preserves the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and does not cause harm to nearby heritage assets.
The application comes against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of commercial signage in Penrith town centre.
At a recent Penrith Town Council planning meeting, councillors considered retrospective signage at the new Dogs Trust charity shop on Middlegate. During the discussion, councillors described the signage as “garish” and “out of character”with the town centre.
The Town Council has also recently objected to other signage proposals, including the retrospective signage at a vape shop on Devonshire Street which was subsequently refused by Westmorland and Furness Council.
The My Kebab application will be considered at a time when the appearance of shopfronts and advertising within Penrith’s Conservation Area is already attracting close attention.
Penrith Town Council has been separately involved in a major programme to replace and refresh the town’s public wayfinding signage, with new fingerposts and visitor information signs being introduced across the centre. The council says that scheme is intended to create clearer and more attractive signage and improve the appearance and navigation of the town centre. But the town councils own signage project in the conservation area has not made any application for planning permission.
The My Kebab application will now be considered by Westmorland and Furness Council as the planning authority.
If consent is granted, it could potentially be subject to conditions relating to matters such as illumination levels, hours of illumination and the future maintenance of the signs.
The application is reference 2026/0080/ADV.
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