IT’S called BrightHouse – but an inspector has agreed with planners that the red-and-yellow signs at a York city-centre shop are just too... bright.

City of York Council previously turned down an application by BrightHouse for a fascia sign, with halo illuminated letters, and an externally illuminated hanging sign at its store in Piccadilly, next to the historic Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.

The weekly payment retailer appealed, but now a planning inspector has dismissed the appeal, saying the signs have too great an impact on the setting of the adjacent Grade I listed building and on the Central Historic Core Conservation Area.

The inspector said in his report that the height and coverage of the lettering in the fascia sign apppeared to be much greater than that of neighbouring advertisements.

He said: “The use of a contrasting white fascia with bright red and yellow illuminated letters only succeeds in accentuating the visual impact and size of the fascia lettering.”

The inspector said a projecting sign on the building’s corner, with large light fittings to illuminate it, was also visually intrusive, and affected the setting of the Hall, particularly when viewed from the north-west along Piccadilly.

“I am not persuaded that signage with a ‘sleek modern approach’ is appropriate alongside this Grade 1 listed building.”

The inspector’s decision was welcomed by York council leader James Alexander, who said: “It might sound trivial to some, but protecting our heritage is important and therefore the planning inspector made the right decision to dismiss this appeal over the inappropriate shop signage.

“Businesses cannot simply disregard planning decisions.” He said he was also in talks with planning officials about the “inappropriate” signage of a takeaway elsewhere in the city centre.

City of York Council said it would now write to advise BrightHouse to remove the signs. A spokeswoman said: “If they don’t, we would prosecute through the magistrates’ court.”