Business Shopfront Improvement Guide

This needs to a top priority. The shop fronts of the local businesses look dreadful. The only business which looks halfway decent is the new Cafe (with the bright white lights outside) opposite Woodgrange Park Station. The high road looks a mess. Many of the shops along Station Road are closed and serve no purpose. Please NO MORE chicken or fast food shops! I tend to avoid the local shops, they are unattractive and a complete turn off.

I do love this idea but not sure the right businesses are there at the moment or how far the uplift could go if we're looking at the current shops of large format printers, money transfer services, shop fitting wholesalers and accountants. But I do agree with the fact that the council should consider shop frontage a part of the decision making process. The other proposed ideas on this platform would help to attract different kinds of retailers which would better meet the ambitions of the residents

lived year for years,and this idea of improving the image of Romford rd has never been realy acted up on. Theres only a few shops in station rd .and the resurfaceing of pedestrian areas have long been done,so a homogenous shop frontage may improve the look.

The Council really needs to take action on this. The shop fronts are often shabby and neglected. It can be done and has in Walthamstow

Totally agree with this one. Romford road is REALLY UGLY and there appears to be no coordinated effort to harmonise this space. It'd be a struggle, but in the long term could be transformative. Might need rules, regulations, and sadly censure to make it happen. I've often thought that with the dozens of different nationalities inhabiting Newham, this place could one day become an international foodie destinaion. Needs a big vision.

It would make a huge change to the streetscape if businesses had better shopfronts when you get out of the station and the wider area. While guidelines for new businesses would definitely help . It would be great to work out which existing businesses are open to working on this. Sometimes smaller and cheaper changes can make big difference. Removing large and poorly designed signage boxes that are often covering original fascia details. Working with local painters or designers to create an update tailored to each business would help keep the high street interesting, encourage shopping and hopefully other business could be encouraged to do the same.

I'm a bit sceptical about this idea - feels like something which businesses would just ignore. Much better to focus on projects which are proactive and make a change e.g. physical branding, greening, playgrounds, lighting.

This is a great idea but can't this be extended to business along Romford Road? While brilliant to clean up the North side of Manor Park , many of these proposals ignore the rest of Manor Park. Romford Road all the way up to Tesco is in desperate need of consideration.

Also the shopfront footpath areas need to be improved. The wear and tear and shoddy building work makes the pavement deteriorate pretty quick. Shop owners and landlords also take it upon themselves to concrete ramps or build structure such as metal fencing (for queues) which is such an eyesore and an impediment. If the council can take ownership and maybe incentivise shopfront initiatives it would make such a difference.

Vital. The streets are a mess. Messy, low rent and unattractive. The difference shopfront design and branding has had in the neighbouring E17 borough is staggering. Please look at Hoe Street and the St James end of the market - total game changer. Most if not all the shops are still the same, but they look smarter, the area feels cleaner and safer - and more attractive place to shop and spend time. It's also unifying and visually impactful. As a resident (at the time), it made me feel proud of my area. The long term impact a scheme like this would have in E12 is huge. Shop landlords should be encouraged to keep their property in good external repair too.