Popeyes loses planning appeal over unauthorised signs on its Cambridge takeaway

Popeyes takeaway restaurant has lost its fight to keep the signs it put up in Cambridge without permission.

The American fried chicken chain in Market Hill was told to remove the exterior signs it put up when it opened in February last year, as they were different to what had been agreed with Cambridge City Council.

Permission was granted for a ‘Popeyes’ sign above the main windows, but it went above the door, with a further slogan above the windows saying ‘Famous Louisiana Chicken’.

The council told the company, PLK Chicken UK Ltd, to remove them and to replace them with what had been agreed.

Instead, the company sought permission for the signs via a retrospective application.

But the council has refused permission after its conservation officer said the signs were “inappropriate” for the area.

Popeyes appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, arguing the signs were “vital to the operation of the shop”.

But an inspector dismissed the appeal, saying: “The Popeyes sign is too large for its fascia and therefore appears cramped. The slogan sign is unnecessary and results in a cluttered appearance, when considered in combination with the Popeyes sign.

“The orange elements do not have an acceptable effect on public amenity, and they harm the character and appearance of the conservation area and the special architectural and historic interest of the grade II listed building 4 Market Hill, and the grade I listed 5 Market Hill, with regard to its setting.”