A COUNCILLOR is concerned that Wellington town centre could end up looking like a giant amusement arcade because of a growing number of shops having flashing lights in their windows.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s planning committee met on April 7 where they discussed plans submitted to display an internally illuminated digital display screen inside 6 Fore Street – namely the Co-op store.

Councillors were told that the 1.9metre-high sign was already up and working.

Cllr John Thorne said: “I did notice this sign had been installed already and it is very bright.

“I’m not sure if it will make any difference in stopping this from getting planning permission because it’s bright, but I don’t like it.

“And I don’t think there are any reasons to oppose.”

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky added: “It won’t be long before the town centre will look like an amusement arcade.”

The Mayor of Wellington, Cllr Janet Lloyd, was forthright in her views on the application.

“I think this planning application should be declined and the sign should be taken down because of the impact it is having on the street scene and that it is in a conservation area,” she said.

Councillors voted in favour of opposing the application, although a final decision rests with Somerset Council.

A town council spokesman said: “We recommended that the application be refused as the proposal will have a detrimental impact on the street scene and, in turn, the conservation area.

“It was noted that the display is already in situ and is very bright, especially in the hours of darkness.”

The digital display sign is to advertise deals and other Co-op marketing initiatives for shoppers passing by the store in Fore Street.

Somerset Council has indicated on its website that it hopes to have made a decision on the application by May 15.