Scarborough shop’s ‘unfortunate’ renovation works approved

​A Scarborough food shop’s renovation works, which only came to light following a complaint, have been retrospectively approved by North Yorkshire Council.

​Officers said the works were carried out this spring and the shopfront was altered “so that the returned entrance element has been lost now that the shopfront has been glazed the full width of the front elevation, parallel with the pavement”.

54 Ramshill Road, Scarborough After Works Were Carried Out. Applicant

Additionally, the entrance door was relocated slightly to the right, and the timber shop frame was replaced with aluminium glazed frames.

54 Ramshill Road, Scarborough In 2024 Prior To The Works Having Been Carried Out. Google Maps

The applicant, One 4 All Supermarket York Ltd, was granted a premises licence by the council in April, allowing it to sell alcohol and stay open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

​“An application for advertisement consent has not been submitted yet,” planners noted.

​Two objections were made by local residents who said that the original shopfront “was of considerable architectural interest”.

​One resident said: “The shopfront that has been installed is not satisfactory in either design terms or in the materials used and should be refused.”

​Another local objector stated: “If the council had published an appraisal of the conservation area, the original shopfront would have likely been described as making a positive contribution to the appearance and character of the conservation area.”

Ramshill Road, Scarborough. Google Maps

​They also raised concerns that “an unacceptable illuminated fascia will be installed in its place”.

​The planning application was supported by Scarborough Town Council, and no objections were made by the Highway Authority.

​Planners said the removal of the shop’s traditional timber features was “unfortunate” but concluded that “in this instance, the shop alterations and internal roller shutter are considered acceptable, and it is felt that it would be inappropriate to withhold consent for the shop front alterations which have been implemented”.

​“Overall, the shop alterations and internal roller shutter are considered to be acceptable to the host property and local area in terms of its design and materials,” officers added.

The application was approved by North Yorkshire Council, subject to conditions, on Friday, August 28.