Laois County Council
Comhairle Chontae Laoise
Planning & Transportation
Strategic Policy Committee
Policy Document Shop Frontages & Streetscapes
Shop Frontages & Streetscapes
Well designed streetscapes provide an important component in sustainable urban
areas. The role that shop frontages play in providing attractive public streetscapes
where people want to live and work should not be underestimated.
There are many elements of urban design which impact on the quality of development
in an area, however this paper will focus primarily on the role played by shop
frontages and streetscapes in the provision of sustainable urban areas.
‘Well-designed streetscapes have a crucial part to play in the delivery of sustainable communities, ‘places
where people want to live and work, now and in the future’
Manual for Streets; (Department for Transport and Communities and Local Government UK.)
While this paper focuses mainly on the role played by shop frontages in the design of
streetscapes, it is also important to acknowledge that many features such as street furniture,
landscaping (hard & soft) and the quality of the public open space can play an important role in
the provision of attractive public spaces.
Streetscapes
Well designed streetscapes play a vital role in securing places that are socially, economically
and environmentally sustainable. It is therefore important to promote a high standard of design
in all elements of the streetscape as good design ensures attractive, usable, durable and
adaptable places. This is a key element in achieving sustainable development.
Traditional shop fronts combine to provide
attractive streetscape
Proximity of shop frontage to footpath
encourages interaction on this street
Common design adhered to
Blank wall breaks continuity and discourages
pedestrian involvement
Height and Length of streets
The public realm is also defined by the ratio of height to width. It is therefore recommended that the height of
buildings is in proportion to the width of the intervening public space to achieve enclosure. The actual ratio
depends on the type of street or open space being designed for. This is a fundamental urban design
principle.
The height-to-width enclosure ratios illustrated below can serve as a guide for a typical high, especially on a
high street where shop frontages would be present
The benefits of taller buildings, such as signifying locations of visual importance,
adding variety, or simply accommodating higher densities, must be weighed against the possible
disadvantages. These include an overbearing relationship with the street, overshadowing of surrounding
areas, and the need to provide more parking.
Street length can have a significant effect on the quality of a place. Acknowledging
and framing vistas and landmarks can help bring an identity to a area and orientate users. However, long
straights can encourage high traffic speeds, which should be mitigated.
Shop Frontages
Proportions
 The design of the frontages of shops should be based on a carefully considered
composition of traditional elements at ground level – fascias, shop window, door,
stallrisers, pilasters and advertising signs.
 The proportions of any shopfront and fascia should complement and balance the
complete frontage and particularly on listed buildings.
 Retain or reintroduce traditional high level windowheads and shallow fascias.
 The whole building needs to be considered when a new shop front is designed, not just
the ground floor. However, new shopfronts should not be permitted to extend into the
floor above unless this is part of the original building.
 Original fascia should be retained where possible.
Uniformity should be encouraged in some
cases to establish a sense of continuity
Modern shop design which is successfully
incorporated with the traditional
Maintaining the traditional with modern elements
Detail of design
 In order to encourage individual approaches to design of shopfronts, it is important to
have variety. Each shop front can have an individual approach but based on traditional
proportions, materials and details.
 Designs for traditional and historic properties must be historically and architecturally
accurate and reflect local styles and traditions wherever possible.
 It is appropriate in terraces that shopfronts can be designed to retain uniformity. Fascia
levels and pilasters should be common to all units, but there is an opportunity for
different approaches to individual shopfronts.
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Shop front design for modern buildings can present a good opportunity to add
examples of the architecture style of the present time into the townscape. which
incorporates elements of the traditional.
It is an essential requirement for any shopfront that quality of design, materials and
workmanship are applied throughout.
Attention to detail
Attention to detail
Materials
 Traditional and natural materials should be used in construction of shopfronts in
traditional or historic areas – timber, stone, marble, slate, brass and cast iron are
traditional materials.
 Traditional shopfronts still exist in many towns and villages in Laois. These should be
retained and repaired wherever possible.
 The materials used in any shopfront or sign can greatly influence the contribution
which they make to the quality and appearance of the streetscape to which they
belong. Natural stone is considered the appropriate material for pilasters and
stallraisers where the overall façade is of prime importance and the upper floor façade
is stone. Complete timber frontages are also welcome which can be stained or painted.
 Other materials may be used but the extensive use of tiles or render is discouraged
which can detract from the overall appearance of the area.
Wood used to good effect in shopfront
Modern materials can be used while
maintaining traditional principles.
Good quality shopfronts on new shop
units
Poor quality use of materials can detract
from the area as a whole
Shopfront Fascia Signs
 Perspex fascia signs and boards can often spoil the appearance of a street and are
discouraged.
 Hand painted fascias are appropriate in historic areas. The fascia should only state the
trade related to the premises and preferably the street number.
 Alternatively, individual letters could be mounted onto the fascia. Glossy Perspex will
not be acceptable on listed buildings.
 Illumination of signs or advertisements is generally discouraged and qwill only be
considered if it makes a positive contribution to the areas as a whole. Amount must be
sympathetic to the building and the streetscape. Internally illuminated fascias, lettering
will not be permitted within areas of conservation or on listed buildings
Inappropriate, oversized Fascia
Fascia in proportion to overall shopfront
Attractive shopfront
Attractive shopfront
Shopfront Security
 Solid grills are not encouraged – discourage pedestrian activity (window shopping,
increase opportunity for vandalism)
 Open Mesh blinds are more appropriate which can be demountable or on a roller. The
grill and box must form part of the overall design and must be recessed behind the
fascia. Projecting grill boxes (where appropriate) should be camouflaged by timber
detailing or some other appropriate measure.
 The installation of alarm boxes can be used subject to appropriate size and position
 Security measures on listed buildings can be in the form of:
o Demountable mesh grills
o Laminated glass
o Internally-mounted brick-bond shutters