Cromer Iceland shopfront rejected

A bright red Iceland shop front in the middle of Cromer's main shopping street has been thrown out by a planning inspector who tagged it 'somewhat crude.'

The new shop in the former Woolworth's store caused controversy when it opened because of its stark design and shutter door.

North Norfolk's planning committee turned it down in 2009 saying it was flat and featureless in a prominent part of the town's conservation area.

The company appealed but inspector Nigel Burrows has sided with the council and rejected the appeal – giving Iceland eight months to improve the Church Street shop front.

His report says the design was a 'somewhat crude shop front lacking in detail and subtlety.'

Although Iceland said it was in a part of the conservation area dominated by modern buildings, Mr Burrows felt it was a highly visible and detracted from the character of the 'commercial fulcrum' which included the church.

The shutter was 'unduly hostile', accentuated by the red finish, and although Iceland stressed the extent of financial investment he said it 'should not be at the expense of good design.'