Shop owner seeks permission to keep stripey facade

A business owner has applied for retrospective planning permission to allow her to keep her shop painted in striking burgundy and pink stripes.

Owner Isabella Wookey repainted the Grade II shop on Marlborough High Street, ladies' fashion and homewares boutique Willow & Wolf, in 2025 by adding the stripes and attaching a large bow.

But she was told in October last year that she may be forced to repaint the facade, after being threatened with enforcement action by Wiltshire Council for altering the "exterior appearance of a listed building".

Local councillor Jane Davies said it is important changes to a listed building are conducted with consent as it protects the town's heritage.

"The redecoration of the Willow and Wolf frontage has certainly been a change and opinions are divided," Davies added.

"It's a marmite scheme - either loved or hated. Personally, I think it's quite fun and will draw more shoppers and visitors because it is so different.

One local retailer said: "It would be a shame if the council stood in the way of a successful independent business's freedom of expression in a tasteful way."

However, another shopkeeper said they had "battled through the planning regime to get far smaller changes approved – at significant financial expense."

The application, which does not include the bow, noted that "no structural alterations, removal of historic fabric, or physical modifications to architectural detailing were undertaken as part of these works."

It added that although the building sits in a conservation area, the repainting was undertaken "as part of routine maintenance and visual enhancement of the commercial frontage" and that "the works are entirely reversible through future repainting."

A decision is expected from Wiltshire Council by mid-May.

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