Local Planning Guidance Notes No 18 - Shopfront Security

This is one of a series of local planning guidance notes amplifying local planning proposals in a clear and concise format with the objective of improving design standards.

Its purpose is to guide shop owners and shopfitters towards effective security measures for individual premises which also respect the character of the existing building and the street scene.

Wrexham County Borough Council and its partners are commited to tackling crime, enhancing community safety and protecting and enhancing the vitality and viability of district shopping centres and in particular, Wrexham town centre. Ill designed security measures work against the creation of a vital, vibrant and attractive shopping environment and can be counter productive to the area's economic viability. Potential investors may be dissuaded from investing and shoppers may be reluctant to visit an environment which is, or appears to be, vulnerable to crime.

This note outlines the basic guidelines that designers are encouraged to consider and adopt when planning new shopfronts. It does not intend to remove the need for skilled architectural advice but rather offers a framework within which creative designs can be developed.

Background

Solid steel roller shutters provide a high level of security but have their drawbacks:

• it is not possible to see if anything is happening inside the shop, so thieves may continue unobserved;
• a street of solid shutters creates a lifeless and hostile environment discouraging pedestrians from using the streets, thereby increasing the opportunities for crime;
• window shopping outside of opening hours is impossible, deterring return visits ; and
• shutters, fixing apparatus and boxes can detract from the design and appearance of shopfronts, particularly if not part of an integrated whole.

The establishment of a Town Centre Forum, the implementation of CCTV, and the extension of pedestrianisation and street enhancement schemes in Wrexham town centre have already contributed to a significant improvement in public safety and shop front security.

Security Through Design

Security should be viewed as a fundamental part of the design process and not as a last minute add on. Good design can improve shop front security through:

• use of reinforced stall risers and mullions;
• use of toughened or laminated glass;
• sub-dividing and reinforcing the glazing into smaller areas;
• use of alarms and camera surveillance systems in the property;
• installing physical barriers to protect shop windows and doors, preferably through their incorporation into the shop frontage, or as part of an overall street improvement scheme, providing no obstruction to shoppers, emergency accesses, or road sweeping operations is caused;
• installing good internal lighting visible from the street;
• installing street lighting in all vulnerable areas without causing shadows;
• bringing life back into the building through the residential use of the upper floors;
• installing internal perforated/lattice grilles;
• avoid door recesses which create hiding places;
• avoid glazing at ground level, especially in doors; and
• avoid canopies over shop frontages, which during inclement weather may attract groups of people which, in turn, attracts damage and litter.

Design Principles

Where grilles or shutters are the only solution to severe vandalism and security problems the following points need to be addressed:

• the most visually acceptable measures include the use of toughened glass to prevent vandalism, laminated glass to prevent burglary and theft, shatter proof adhesive films on existing glazed areas and internal open lattice grilles;
• the outer pane of glass on double glazed units should be toughened and the inner pane laminated;
• internal grilles or external demountable and roller grilles are preferred to shutters; and
• permission will not be granted for solid metal roller shutters.

In exceptional circumstances where there have been regular instances of vandalism and alternative means of security have not alleviated the problems, and the shop is not under surveillance by the existing CCTV, then the provision of polycarbonate, perforated (preferably lit from behind) or punched lath shutters, in that order, may be considered.

The security system should:

• be vertically integrated into the design of the shopfront;
• be minimised in scale to protect glazed areas but not the whole shopfront;
• not stand proud of the fascia nor hide any architectural feature and, if possible, utilise
  any original fascia housing;
• be free of additional signage;
• not use plain metal finishes which usually contrast too sharply with traditional shop
  fronts: anodised or powder coated finishes are preferred;
• use locks and bolts, and installation methods, approved by your local Crime Prevention Officer; and
• not protrude onto the public highway.

Do You Need Planning Permission?

Any changes to commercial property that materially affects its external appearance including the erection of permanent security external shutters or grilles requires planning permission. Internal grilles and shutters, films and toughened glass do not generally need consent. Installation on listed buildings of special architectural or historic importance could also require listed building consent.

For further information contact:

Chief Planning Officer, Lambpit Street, PO Box 1290, Wrexham, LL11 1WL.

Email: Planning@wrexham.gov.uk

Tel: 01978 292017
Fax: 01978 292502

Adopted October 1993, revised 2000

LPG Note 18 - Shopfront Security

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12 - Shopfronts

Guidance Note index