Shopkeepers in Coventry may be inadvertently putting children at risk through a common retail practice, according to stark warnings issued during a recent council meeting. The issue centres on shop windows that are entirely obscured by posters, sale signs, or stickers, which councillors argue creates a significant safeguarding problem by preventing passers-by from seeing inside the premises.
Scrutiny Meeting Raises Alarm Over Obscured Windows
The concerns were brought to light during a community and neighbourhood scrutiny meeting in Coventry, where discussions focused on a draft design guide for city shops. Councillor Christine Thomas voiced particular alarm, stating, "One of the things that I am very concerned about, particularly in regard to the safeguarding of children, is that there are more and more shops now with completely occluded windows, covered with stickers."
She emphasised that this practice should typically be reserved for adult-oriented establishments, yet it is increasingly seen in shops selling everyday items like dry goods, cigarettes, alcohol, and even supermarkets. "The only way you can see into these shops is through the door," she added, highlighting the potential risks this poses for child safety by limiting visibility from the street.
Planning Policy Response and Enforcement Limitations
In response, Chris Styles, the council's head of planning policy and environment, clarified that the proposed design guide aims to address this very issue. One of its ten core principles is the elimination of 'excessive manifestations' or stickers on shop windows. He explained, "We are saying there should be transparency between the shop and the street. To have a positive impact on the street, you need that vibrancy and interaction between outside and the interior space, and I take the point about how that plays into safeguarding."
However, Styles was careful to note the limitations of the guidance. He stated that these principles only come into effect when a new planning application is submitted and cannot be applied retrospectively to existing shop fronts. "An SPD cannot be used as an enforcement piece," he clarified, referring to the Supplementary Planning Document.
Additional Concerns Over Neon Signage
The meeting also saw remarks regarding another trend in the city's retail landscape: the proliferation of illuminated neon signage. Councillor Akhtar commented that certain areas, such as Gosford Street after dark, now resemble Las Vegas due to the bright lights, raising questions about visual clutter and its impact on the local environment.
Following the discussions, councillors voted in favour of moving the draft design guide forward for public consultation. This step marks a proactive effort by Coventry City Council to enhance street safety and aesthetics, though it underscores the challenges in enforcing changes to existing shop fronts without proper planning permissions.
