The Maidenhead Town Centre Shopfront Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out clear, practical advice to help ensure shopfronts are attractive, accessible and well-designed, while respecting the character of the town centre and its surrounding streets.
The SPD gives businesses and property owners greater confidence when investing in new or improved shopfronts by providing clear, practical guidance for high-quality shopfront design: covering signage, materials, lighting, accessibility and how shopfronts relate to the wider street.
The new document will now be used when considering planning applications for new or altered shopfronts in Maidenhead town centre. The final guidance reflects feedback received through public consultation, with accessibility and inclusive design highlighted as key priorities from residents.
Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Planning and Governance, said: “A successful town centre needs businesses to be able to invest with confidence, while also protecting what makes a place distinctive. This guidance strikes that balance.
“By setting clear, practical expectations for shopfront design, we’re making the planning process simpler and more predictable for businesses, while ensuring changes enhance Maidenhead’s character. The result will be a more vibrant town centre that supports the local economy and works for residents, visitors and businesses alike.”
The Maidenhead Shopfront Supplementary Planning Document, as well as other planning guidance, can be found on RBWM’s planning policy webpages.