Council orders hairdresser to take down signs

A Kent hairdresser has made the mistake of not considering local regulations when putting up signs for his business.

Marcello Marino could perhaps have considered the potential problems of putting a revealing image of his wife on the side of his business before he sent it for poster printing. Now the hairdresser has had to remove the poster on the side of his salon after Thanet District Council received a complaint and his lack of planning permission was revealed.

BBC news reports that Mr Marino’s salon is located in an area of Ramsgate protected by a conservation order. Whilst the picture is no more explicit than some lingerie adverts, its incongruity with the rest of the area attracted a complaint for showing “so much cleavage”.

Although Marino defends the poster as a “lively and modern” sign and says he cannot see the reason “why not”, local conservation groups have criticised it as distasteful and the local council has noted that permission was needed due to the local regulations.

“For a banner of this size and location, planning permission to display an advert is required,” said a Thanet council spokeswoman. “We have written to the owner explaining this, and also that planning permission for this advert would be unlikely as the property is in a conservation area.”

This minor story offers one lesson for anyone hoping to promote their business through public signage; it is vital to consider public ordinances first.