Alsager shop owner receives enforcement letter over shutter artwork his son, 9, designed
By Deborah Bowyer 25th Jul 2022
An Alsager computer shop owner is deciding what action to take after receiving an enforcement notice over artwork on his security shutter based on his son's work.
Richard Morrow was shocked to receive a letter from Cheshire East Council following a complaint about artwork on his shutter in Lawton Road.
The letter sent to Mr Morrow
A planning enforcement officer from Cheshire East visited Alsager Computers and inspected the artwork on the shutter which he felt "constituted an advertisement".
The colourful design, based on original artwork from his nine-year-old son showing a phone and laptop holding hands, was drawn on the shutter by a Stoke-on-Trent artist.
Mr Morrow, who originally started his business in 2006, moving to the current premises in 2019, received a letter giving him a number of options which include applying for advertisement consent, removal of the artwork altogether or possible enforcement action.
Alex Morrow, 9, with a piece of his artwork
He says he is "shocked" by the letter as other businesses nearby have advertisements in their windows and friends have written to Cheshire East to complain about the decision.
The father-of-three says his son Alex, 9, a pupil at Alsager's Excalibur Primary School, would be sad to see his design gone.
"I've only heard nice comments about the shutter. It's a custom made work of art based on my son's sketch showing a phone and laptop," he said.
"My son loves sketching and drawing and it would be such a shame. It's a lovely piece of art and we want to encourage him with his art. It's his work originally.
"From what I understand, only one person has complained. We have only ever heard nice comments about the shutter. It seems a bit over the top."
But a statement from Cheshire East said: "As a result of a complaint, a council planning enforcement officer visited the premises and inspected the artwork signage, which constitutes an advertisement. This requires the benefit of consent to display an advertisement.
"This has been brought to the attention of the proprietor and advice given as to the various options open to them. These include the submission of a retrospective application for advertisement consent, removal of the artwork altogether, or possible enforcement action should they choose neither of these options.
"The business has been given 28 days in which to respond."
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