Emsworth’s Lord Raglan pub eyes new signs and lights in bid to attract more customers and boost trade

The Lord Raglan, a grade II-listed building on 35 Queen Street, will see improvements to its signage and outside lighting on its frontage if planners approve the scheme.

Victoria Jackson of SR Signs has applied on behalf of Admiral Taverns for seven new signs and nine outside lights for the waterside pub.

Havant Borough Council will decide on application APP/25/00354 by June 16.

The planning statement said: “The redecoration has been proposed for the Lord Raglan because it has been several years since it has had a new signage scheme. The existing signage is showing signs of deterioration, which is affecting how the business is perceived, and ultimately is having a negative impact on trade.”

Sign up for free emails when you visit The News’ newsletter page here

The new illuminated and non-illuminated signs include: one gable board with applied letters, one double-sided pictorial sign with new linolites, one chalkboard, two new amenity boards, one set of individual letters sign and one new gable board that will be placed on the outside of the hostelry.

See the latest new developments for Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant

There are also two lantern-style lights and seven new floodlights to be attached to the outside of the pub. The planning statement said the lights would only be on during trading times and otherwise turned off.

Hampshire County Council’s highways team had no objection but said “the lights should be aimed towards the building face, not towards the highway, and should not exceed 600 candela per square metre.”

The council granted permission on May 12 to applicant Steve Grady of Videttes to install a new emergency escape staircase over the existing parapet roof leading to the garden. The conservatory to be removed and a pergola erected. The existing rear pathway will be extended along with some additional building repairs.

The design, access and heritage statement said the two-storey, 18th-century pub, was notable for its traditional architecture and unique waterside garden. It is the only Emsworth pub with a waterside garden backing onto the Slipper Mill Pond and the River Ems. The building is made of flint and brick, with a tile roof.