Big decision on major anti-vandal artwork plans for Sainsbury’s flagship store

Proposals to install a steel anti-vandal art feature directly onto the frontage of Sainsbury’s flagship Blackpool store have been thrown out by planners.

The store chain said the structure, inspired by a roller coaster design, would save money on habitually having to replace smashed windows at the Talbot Road superstore.

Given that the store frontage is largely made of glass, Sainsburys felt it was vital to protect it, whilst employing a design inspired by Blackpool’s leisure heritage.

But the design of the scheme has not gone down well with planners at Blackpool Council, who blasted it as “significantly detrimental to the appearance, character and quality of the building”.

Even worse, it would create the impression that an  area of Blackpool which has undergone significant regeneration wasn’t “safe”.

The application was for the installation of a public art feature to Talbot Road elevation comprising the erection of 155 steel columns at various heights in front of perspex panels and the installation of window vinyls across five glass window panels at the store. 

A report from planning consultants Alder King, in support of the application, said; “The new high quality public art feature is proposed to be installed to protect the building from repeated damage to the glass windowpanes.

“The application is an opportunity to present a renewed frontage across the store that evokes the spirit of some of Blackpool’s iconic landmarks, providing interest to the public realm, whilst at the same time providing the protection to the glazing that Sainsbury’s require.”

But refusing the application, the planning officer stated in a delegated report: “The proposals would be significantly detrimental to the appearance, character and quality of the building and the wider area by virtue of their form, scale, design, materials and siting. 

“The scheme would significantly compromise the original design ethos of the building by significantly diminishing the sense of activity and views in and out and this would worsen over time. 

“The scheme would present incongruous, poor quality ‘stuck-on’ and over-bearing features in the streetscene. 

“The visual harm from the proposal would undermine the ongoing efforts to create an attractive gateway to the Town Centre and to regenerate the area and would negatively impact the aims of the Central Business District in driving growth, job creation, prosperity and regeneration to the benefit of Blackpool. “

And it added: “The proposal would be overtly defensive, giving the impression that the area suffers from anti-social behaviour and is not safe, which would promote crime and fear of crime. 

“This would undermine the ongoing efforts to create an attractive gateway to the Town Centre and to regenerate the area and would negatively impact the aims of the Central Business District in driving growth, job creation, prosperity and regeneration to the benefit of Blackpool.”