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Poundland's post office plans in Aylesbury under spotlight
Proposals unveiled by a budget store which plans to open in Aylesbury have been branded 'garish' by worried critics.
Cut-price chain Poundland hopes to open a new shop in the former High Street Post Office in November.
But opponents fear the new shop will become an eyesore, with bright signs posing a road safety hazard.
On Thursday planners will rule on a bid to install a new shop front and hanging signs outside the building.
This week Keith Robinson, who chairs The Aylesbury Society, said he was glad to see the shop finally filled, but worried about how it might look.
Mr Robinson stated: "We'd like to see them put in an attractive window display rather than huge advertising signs, which you tend to get with this type of shop."
He added that the store would have to be very careful when taking deliveries from lorries, because of the number of pedestrians.
In a response to the application, the society's honorary secretary Roger King said: "We hope that the company will not plaster the large glass windows with cheap looking temporary signs or the outside with large plastic drape banners."
Members at Aylesbury Town Council have objected because they believe the new store could become an eyesore.
And Jim Stevens, head of transport at Transport For Buckinghamshire, has warned planners that bright lights 'would not be acceptable' on road safety grounds.
Aylesbury's town centre manager, Diana Fawcett, said she was pleased that the empty building was going to be filled, but sounded a note of caution.
"I am delighted the High Street unit is to be occupied and have no issue with that," she said.
"I am keen to ensure that the sign is not tacky or very large."
Poundland retail operations director, Tim McDonnell, said: "We chose this site because of its large size, enabling us to stock a greater range of products, and also due to its ideal location for shoppers.
"The external store fascia is in line with our corporate brand."
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Weather for Aylesbury
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
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