A restaurant owner has vowed he will fight to keep a controversial new shop sign in place despite being refused planning permission.

Martin Legg, owner of Smiths Fish and Chips in Epping High Street, received a letter on Monday (April 13) informing him that Epping Forest District Council had denied a planning application for the new sign.

The large blue-and-white sign was installed in December, replacing one that had been in place since 1966 when Mr Legg’s grandfather opened the restaurant.

Mr Legg had applied for retrospective permission after receiving a complaint about the size of the sign.

“I am gutted”, he said.

“It is modern and bold, but that is the angle we were going for, that is exactly what we wanted to see.

“The old one had been up for 40 years and we were going for the future.

“The whole High Street is filled with modern developments, like the council offices - modern and futuristic.

“When you do something new, you try to do something new and go with the future.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

The sign has removed a mixed response online, but Mr Legg claims customers like it

The reason for the refusal says “the proposed advertisements, due to their size and design would be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the building” and adds it is “detrimental to the visual amenities of the High Street.”

Mr Legg is now appealing against the decision, and is considering other options after receiving positive feedback from the majority of customers.

He said: “A lot of customers have been telling me to get a petition.

“It is something I am prepared to do, partly because of the way the customers have been coming in and demanding we make a stand and not let this go.

“I have not put the sign up for my benefit, and if the public like it, it will stay.

“As much as the council will decide, everyone who has come in has supported it.”