This shop unit is fitted round the original door (or rather the 1970's door) of the previous Co-op Department Store. This started off with the big disadvantages of bare aluminium door, window frames and shutters with dark brown 1970's tiles. It also had the odd situation of a window with a partition only a few inches behind it! Luckily on the advantages side, were the proprietors of the Working Lunch, Billie and Nikki who were keen to see a lively imaginative scheme to overcome the visual problems.

They chose a warm vibrant traditional colour scheme of gold and terracotta. The bare metal work was thoroughly prepared, primed and painted. This immediately made the brown tiles less dominant. It was considered that the handpainted signage would be the other thing that would really "lift" this unit. Colin, the signwriter came up with a traditional fascia sign, side sign and mock window effect. They were so delighted with these that they asked him to design an information board to fit in the awkward window gap.

Colours used: Fired Earth historic colour "Aconite" and Farrow & Ball traditional colour "Fenton Red". This terracotta shade was originally developed to "live with brickwork" so is a good colour to compliment the brickwork around The Square.

We think this is a wonderful example of what can be achieved, on a budget, with a well thought out colour scheme, a good traditional signwriter and a bit of imagination!

Painter/decorator: Robert Waterston

Signwriting/decorative panels: Colin Dundas