Cheshire West and Chester Council
Shopfronts and shutters in Chester
Cheshire West and Chester’s Local Plan says external grilles and shutters will not normally be acceptable on traditional and historic shopfronts or in conservation areas, and the Chester Rows have their own design guide on top.
- Planning authority
- Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Planning system
- England
- Main document
- As published
- Status
- Local Plan policy
- Main retail streets
- Eastgate Street, Watergate Street, Bridge Street
- Our repairs
- Inside our 100-mile repair radius
Shopfront policy for Chester sits in the council’s Local Plan (Part Two), Policy DM 16. It applies across the borough, but in Chester it meets the Rows — the medieval galleried walkways where shops trade at street level and again on the level above.
The council publishes a separate Rows Design Guide covering shopfronts, signage, the Row walkways and stallboards, so anyone working on a Rows frontage has two documents to satisfy.
Shutters and security
Shutters and other security measures are supported only where a need is shown and the design adds no obtrusive features or harm.
Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies — Policy DM 16: Shopfronts, Policy DM 16Externally located grilles or security shutters will not normally be acceptable on traditional and historic shopfronts, or in conservation areas.
Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies — Policy DM 16: Shopfronts, Policy DM 16Solid metal shutters, metal shutter boxes and external grilles are unlikely to be acceptable in conservation areas or on listed buildings; toughened glass and alarms are encouraged instead.
Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies — Policy DM 16: Shopfronts, explanation to DM 16
Historic shopfronts
A shopfront designed in a traditional style must include historically accurate detailing, and features of historic or architectural interest are kept.
Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies — Policy DM 16: Shopfronts, Policy DM 16
Sources
- Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies — Policy DM 16: ShopfrontsAs published · Local Plan policy · read on 9 October 2026
- Chester Rows Design GuideAs published · Council guidance · read on 9 October 2026
Policies change. Before you order anything, confirm with Cheshire West and Chester Council — a pre-application enquiry gets you a written view on your drawings.