Businesswoman applies to keep her shop stripey
The owner has previously been threatened with enforcement action
A Marlborough business owner has applied for planning permission to keep her shop painted in striking burgundy and pink stripes.
Isabella Wookey, who has run ladies’ fashion and homewares boutique Willow & Wolf in Marlborough High Street since 2018, was threatened with enforcement action after repainting her shop in stripes and attaching a large bow to the front of the shop.
The shop is in Marlborough’s Conservation Area, and there are concerns that the makeover is not in befitting of the building’s Grade II listed status – or in keeping with the surrounding heritage buildings.
In an application to Wiltshire Council, the businesswoman says: “No structural alterations, removal of historic fabric, or physical modifications to architectural detailing were undertaken as part of these works.”
The application says that the repainting was undertaken “as part of routine maintenance and visual enhancement of the commercial frontage.
“Following discussions with Wiltshire Council, it was identified that Listed Building Consent is required for the alteration of the exterior appearance of a listed building.
“This application has therefore been submitted to regularise the works.”
The applicant argues that “the significance of the building derives primarily from its architectural form and contribution to the streetscape, rather than from a specific historic paint colour,” and says “The works are entirely reversible through future repainting.”
And the application notes: “While the colour scheme is bold and contemporary, the intervention is cosmetic and reversible in nature. Any potential harm is therefore considered to fall within the category of less than substantial harm, limited to visual appearance only.”
The bow does not form part of the planning application.
When the building was first redecorated, public opinion was generally positive, with one resident calling it a “fab revamp and an exciting shop front,” and another saying: “I think it looks lovely and is well in keeping with the town.”
A fellow retailer said: “It would be a shame if the council stood in the way of a successful independent business’s freedom of expression in a tasteful way.”
However, another shopkeeper said they had “battled through the planning regime to get far smaller changes approved – at significant financial expense.”
And Wiltshire Councillor for West Marlborough, Jane Davies, said: “The redecoration of the Willow and Wolf frontage has certainly been a change and opinions are divided.
“It’s a marmite scheme — either loved or hated. Personally, I think it’s quite fun and will draw more shoppers and visitors because it is so different.”
A decision is expected from Wiltshire Council by mid-May.