Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document

Draft Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (2025) consultation

The Council has published the new draft Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for consultation. This new SPD will replace the current ones that were adopted in 2007 and 2012.

The Council is inviting comments from individuals and organisations on the new draft SPD and supporting documents during the four-week consultation period from Friday, 14 November to Friday, 12 December 2025 (close at 5pm).

The SPD sets out best practice for the design of shopfronts, signage and security measures across the Bradford district. It will promote good design and positive change. The design principles and guidance set out in this document are applicable to the city and town centres as well as local shopping parades and other locations across the district.

The guide is intended to be user-friendly and simple to use by all parties who have an involvement in the design and implementation of shopfronts, including business owners, architects, designers and fitters, planners and other stakeholders.

Consultation material

The consultation document and supporting material is available to view through the Council’s dedicated planning policy consultation website and as downloads below:

• Draft Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (2025) (PDF)

Supporting documents

• Statement of Representation Procedure (PDF)
• SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Screening Statement (PDF)
• HRA (Habitat Regulations Assessment) Screening Statement (PDF)
• Equalities Impact Assessment (PDF)

Hard copies material is also available during opening hours in the following deposit locations:

Council’s principal office

Britannia House, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1HX - Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm, Telephone: 01274 434605 (planning service number) / 01274 433679 (planning policy number) Email: [email protected]

Other Council offices:

• Keighley Town Hall, Bow Street, Keighley, BD21 3PA, Telephone: 01535 618252

Main Council libraries

• Bradford Local Studies Library, Margaret McMillan Tower (side entrance), Princes Way, Bradford, BD1 1NN. Telephone: 01274 433688 Email: [email protected]
• City Library, Centenary Square, Bradford, BD1 1SD. Telephone: 01274 433600, email: [email protected]
• Shipley Library, 2 Wellcroft, Shipley, BD18 2QH. Telephone: 01274 437150, email: [email protected]
• Bingley Library, Myrtle Walk, Bingley, BD16 1AW. Telephone: 01274 438780, email: [email protected]
• Keighley Library, North Street, Keighley, BD21 3SX. Telephone: 01535 618212, email: [email protected]
• Ilkley Library, Station Road, Ilkley, LS29 8AH. Telephone: 01943 436225, email: [email protected]

How to submit comments

Comments should be made via the dedicated planning policy consultation website.

Comments can also be made in writing using the comments form (Word document) via email: [email protected] or post:

Shopfront Design Guide SPD consultation
Local Plan Team
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
4^th Floor
Britannia House
Hall Ings
Bradford
BD1 1HX

Please make it clear which part of the document you are commenting on in your submission.

Current adopted Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (2007)

The Shop Front Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted on 19 December 2007 and provides guidance on the design of shop fronts throughout the district. It has been prepared to encourage high standards of design for retail premises across the whole District and stimulate the resulting wider economic benefits.

This document should be read in conjunction with the Bradford Core Strategy and other relevant Development Plan Documents.

Please note that the The Shop Keepers Guide to Securing Their Premises SPD adopted on 19 December 2012, supersedes Section 6 of the Shop Front Design Guide SPD, and forms the local planning guidance on shop front security measures.