B&M asked to remove controversial sign from outside Eastbourne store

On Monday (January 29), Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee considered an application from home discount chain B&M, through which the retailer had been seeking retrospective permission to display a number of advertising signs outside its store in the Crumbles Retail Park.

The application had proven unpopular with some Sovereign Harbour residents, who had objected to the proposals in significant numbers. Their objections mainly focused on the appearance of several illuminated signs at the rear and side of the building.

B&M had not been seeking permission to keep these illuminated signs, having dropped this part of its request during the application process. The retailer did want to retain a non-illuminated sign at the rear of the building, however, together with an uncontroversial illuminated sign at the front of the store.

While officers felt this would have been an acceptable situation, residents argued the rear signage should be removed entirely.

Speaking at the meeting, local resident Martin Bender said: “Because the applicant has agreed some reduction in advertising display, this should not presume that what is left is allowed.

“In terms of the large fascia sign at the rear, this must come down too. Meeting halfway should not be an option, the sign should never have gone up in the first place.