Indian takeaway's colour scheme doesn't curry favour with council
The owner of an Indian takeaway must undo his recent colourful paint job if he wants to curry favour with council conservation officers.Raj Khan, who runs Spice Heaven in Fakenham, spent �800 this summer to redecorate the front of his restaurant in vibrant yellow and green hues.
The owner of an Indian takeaway must undo his recent colourful paint job if he wants to curry favour with council conservation officers.
Raj Khan, who runs Spice Heaven in Fakenham, spent �800 this summer to redecorate the front of his restaurant in vibrant yellow and green hues.
He thought the eye-catching colours would attract more customers - but did not know the rented property was a Grade B listed building, with strict controls on its outward appearance.
Design and conservation officers from North Norfolk District Council said the paint job was also not in keeping with the street scene and suggested the more modest tone of “gentle gold 4”.
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Mr Khan has agreed to repaint the takeaway's Norwich Street frontage in the subdued beige colour. “It is a shame, but what can you do?” he said. “I spent �800 to get it done, and it will cost the same to repaint it. Luckily we didn't do the side of the building as well.”
Mr Khan said although his Canary colours were not inspired by Norwich's football club, they were popular with his customers.
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“We chose the colour because it was bright and we thought it would make us stand out. Before that it was just plain, but everybody sees us now. It would have been nice to keep it, but you cannot go against the council.”
Fakenham mayor Mike Coates said the town council had also questioned the colour scheme after Mr Khan's redecoration.
“There are rules and regulations about what you can and cannot do to a shop front,” he said. “It has to be in keeping with the area and bright yellow and green are not quite in keeping with where this business is. Before you do things like that, you really need to ask the district council.”
Phil Godwin, the district's conservation design and landscape manager, said: “It's important that we safeguard the character and appearance of our historic buildings.
“In this instance the building is in a very prominent place and it plays a vital role in the setting of the Fakenham Town Centre Conservation Area. Every building plays its part and it's essential that their appearance sits comfortably in the overall scene.”
