Listed building owner faces prosecution for modern signage

A North East bar and nightclub owner has been threatened with prosecution after he fitted modern signs to the front of a Grade II-listed building.

Julies, located on Newcastle Quayside, occupies a building which dates back to 1830 and is near others dating back to medieval times.

In June, owner Keith Gibbon, who runs a chain of bars and clubs under the name of Lazi Leisure, reopened Julies after spending £1.25m on refurbishment.

The investment included £23,000 spent on four 15ft-tall metallic signs, as well as £18,000 on more traditional oak beams for the frontage.

But now Mr Gibbon has been accused of failing to get council permission.

A Newcastle council spokesman said: "Lazi Leisure has installed new signage, a fire escape and entrance doors and had not asked for planning permission, listed building consent or advertisement consent.

"We are considering prosecution, although we are also trying to resolve the matter without going to court."

Mr Gibbon said: "We have done our best with what was a dilapidated frontage. We think it is tremendously enhanced and everybody seems to agree with us."

He added that a planning meeting had been arranged for next month to discuss the issue.