"It will look like little Blackpool on the bridge"

Burger bar's pink neon sign met with objection

NEWBURY town centre could end up resembling the infamous Hamburg “red light district”, The Reeperbahn, if signs for a new burger bar are given the given go ahead.

The tongue-in-cheek claims were made as Newbury Town Council’s planning and highways committee discussed an application from 7 Bone Burger Co.

The gourmet burger chain will be opening a new restaurant on Bridge Street at premises formerly occupied by Oldbury’s delicatessen.

However, an application from the restaurant to erect a pink neon internal sign met with stiff opposition from Newbury town councillors.

Elizabeth O’Keeffe (Lib Dem, Victoria) said the sign would not be in keeping with the rest of Newbury town centre, adding: “I don’t like it. I think it’s horrible. I mean, a pink neon sign?”

Chairing the meeting Anthony Pick (Con, St John’s) called the plans hideous, while pointing out that the premises were in a conservation area.

Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill) said: “You’ve got a combination here of LED lighting and neon lighting.

“A pink neon sign? It will be like little Blackpool on the bridge. I think it’s totally out of keeping.”

Summing up the thoughts of the committee Ms O’Keeffe, jokingly drew comparisons to the notorious red light zone in Hamburg.

She said: “I propose we object to this. It could end up looking like the Reeperbahn.”

Councillors voted to unanimously object to the proposals.