| The Toby Carvery pub on the Robin Hood roundabout has been told to remove illuminated signs from the 19th century pub, as West Berkshire Council signaled a new ‘get tough’ policy on illegal planning applications.
As previously reported on newbury.net, M&B pubs decided to change the Robin Hood from the Harvester to the Toby Carvery earlier this year, and set about installing brightly lit signs on and around the early 19th century listed building. But council planning officials have refused to grant retrospective consent, and have ordered the pub managers to remove the signs or face further action.
The ruling comes amid an increasing trend for businesses to refit and rebrand outlets without asking for permission, firms such as Caffe Nero, Starbucks and Ann Summers. The council said the choice of colours and shape of the signs “seriously detracted” from the special historical character of the pub. | 
