For The Prospective Tenant

At 280 High Street, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 1JF

To assist the new tenant signage planning application, here are some historic and contemporary photographs of 280 High Street. The first photographs originate from the 2008 signage/colour scheme. 

The old frontage from 2008 (to 2015)…

^^^ Signage at 280 High Street, Arbroath ^^^

From approximately 2008 to 2015 (Source: Google Inc)

This narrative from the Landlord for the Tenant is in support of the imminent request from the Tenants to Angus Council seeking the appropriate planning permission to change the signage above the 280 High Street (and adjacent corner) elevations at James Street. As Landlords, we agree and fully support our new tenants proposed signage at the corner elevations of our building at 280 High Street, Arbroath, Angus, D11 1JF.

^^^ Signage at 280 High Street, Arbroath ^^^

From approximately 2008 (to 2015). Source: Google Inc

Around 2013, Swinton insurance got into trouble and the Financial Conduct Authority fined the firm £7.4 million (source: click here).

Following this, many branches of Swinton Insurance were permanently closed. Including the one at 280 High Street, Arbroath, which remained empty for at least 6 years with no maintenance and a very leaky roof…

^^^ Signage Removed at 280 High Street, Arbroath ^^^

From approximately 2008 to 2015 (Source: Google Inc)

The deterioration and dilapidated state over 6 years of neglect required over a quarter of a million pounds to restore the whole of what is a particularly large building, extending from 280 High Street and a significant way along James Street. When the current Landlord purchased this building on 28th February 2020, it required immediate safety work on large cracked shop windows and loose roof tiles to be made safe (plus major roof renovation works)…

For an important part of this historic town, right opposite the landmark Arbroath Abbey, the Landlord’s will be retaining first floor offices, via the 1 James Street entrance…

^^^  1 James Street ^^^

Arbroath, Angus, DD11 1JP

This set of first and second floor offices at 1 James Street is where the Landlord will manage the Arbroath part of their HIGH STREET RENOVATION projects. 50 towns and 10 to 20 renovated shops in each town. Arbroath is scheduled for 14 closed-down shops to be re-opened by Scotslion and our subscribers, many of whom qualify as HNW individuals (here). Hence we are able to ban any and all mortgages on our group company buildings.

With respect to 280 High Street, Arbroath: this ground floor corner frontage was looking dilapidated, empty and a dysfunctional eyesore…

^^^ 280 High Street, Arbroath  ^^^

2015 to 2020 This Building Deteriorated Badly.

Cognisant of the earlier external signage, the Landord has sought to replicate the vernacular of sign is as close a pantone colouring as possible…

^^^ November 2021 Signage ^^^

Blue background and orange highlights, as compared to the earlier signage of 2008 to 2015…

^^^ Signage at 280 High Street from 2008  ^^^

On 28th February 2020, the High Street rescue private equity firm, Argyll Group arranged the purchased of this old, closed-down building and began a very extensive restoration. The roof required extensive, and expensive remedial work. This included removing a considerable amount of water- damaged and rotten woodwork.

The rotten timber was removed; the remaining structure was remarkably well built and intact. It was treated with appropriate wood preservatives etc. Thereafter, high quality renovation materials were deployed throughout. As can be seen, for example, resulting in a visibly much improved frontage, The Landlords deliberately kept the signage as close to the colouring and pantones to harmonise with the earlier vernacular as much as possible…

^^^ Signage at 280 High Street ^^^

Renovations During 2020 & 2021

^^^ Signage at 280 High Street ^^^

Renovations During 2020 & 2021

An aerial photograph shows the undercoat paint applied to protect the wooden signage…

^^^ Signage at 280 High Street ^^^

Renovations During 2020 & 2021

A couple of “before” and “after photographs to illustrate the improvement at the top end of Arbroath High Street…

^^^ Smashed Window Glass Being Replaced ^^^

By autumn 2021, despite Covid and supply-side issues, this building is returning to a useful asset that is capable of creating up to 20 new jobs in Arbroath. Part of the property will be utilised as a “business incubator unit” to prepare newstart businesses for their own bespoke premises. The owners and their friends have already started buying empty, closed-down commercial premises in the High Street as part of their project to help save the High Streets of 50 towns.

^^^ 280 High Street ^^^

^^^ James Street Corner Elevation ^^^

All made good. New woodwork, new windows.

High quality NLB lighthouse paint (from previous project).

During October 2021, the Landlords were approached by a dynamic and growing firm of solicitors. The directors of the legal firm asked to lease this part of the building. They have requested a change of signage to reflect their corporate logo and company colours…

^^^ DRAFT SIGNAGE AS PROPOSED ^^^

^^^ Esson & Aberdein Solicitors ^^^

This change is, in the view of the Landlord and Tenant, significant enough as to merit an application to Angus Council for a change of sign permission.

The firm of solicitors is an ideal tenant for the Landlord as their business is to purchase empty commercial premises and their solicitors of 24 years are retiring. So a new firm of solicitors will be of significant importance to the Landlord’s effort in buying a, renovating, tenanting and re-opening old, closed-down shops, offices, factories, hotels and garages.

In short, this new Tenant will help the Landlord assist the local job creation and town regeneration initiative.

Consequently the Landlord fully support the change of colours and would be grateful if the planning department at Angus Council could facilitate this new signage request please?

It is important to mention that the Landlord is very appreciative of the support Angus Council have provided, including a £10,000 Covid recovery grant which was very much welcome during the £184,000 renovation of 280 High Street, Arbroath.

Not just the Covid Grant, but the fact that the staff at Angus Council have been positive, courteous, professional and supportive in our efforts to regenerate the High Street and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, to provide some comfort, there is precedent for very similar signage at the Landlord’s bank. Santander in Arbroath also have red corporate colours, towards the other end of this High Street…

In order to harmonise with the previous “Swinton Insurance” signage at 280 High Street, the Landlord’s deployed a blue background with orange pantone lettering. The match was not perfect, but it was a lot better than the derelict state of the earlier signage, or worse, the state of the rotten boarding behind that signage.

The received wisdom from Angus Council at that time was the signage had been similar enough between “Swinton Insurance” and “Abbey Studios” as to not require a full planning permission.

However, the proposed new livery in red for the Tenants, Esson Aberdein Solicitors at 280 High Street is significantly different from the old “Swinton Insurance” signs.

Therefore it is thought wise to submit the formal planning application to change the corner part of the building’s paint coverage from blue to red.

The Tenant shall be making their own representations to Angus Council.

However, if anyone from the council wishes to speak with the Landlord, please feel free to telephone: 07577 2768 795.

Or write to:-

The Managing Director, Tayport Group Ltd., Endeavour House, 1 James Street, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 1JP.