AN ALEXANDRIA pub’s bid to be allowed to put up adverts for local businesses on the outside walls of the premises has been dealt a final blow by the Scottish Government.

Allan Wright wanted permission to put up five signboards on the outer walls of the windowless Fountain Tavern, on the corner of Susannah Street and Bank Street.

Mr Wright’s application was turned down by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) earlier this year.

Mr Wright then went to the Scottish Government, asking them to overturn the council’s ruling – but that appeal has now been dismissed.

Tammy Swift-Adams, an independent reporter appointed by the government’s planning and environmental appeals division, visited the site on November 30 and issued her ruling, turning down Mr Wright’s appeal, last week.

Ms Swift-Adams said in her report: “Whilst I agree with the appellant that the signs would not be individually untidy or of a poor quality, and would be uniform in size and aligned along the elevations, I do not agree that they would improve the blank façades.

“When added to the pub’s own signage and the smoking canopies that flank the doorway, they would have a cluttering effect that would lessen the appearance of the building and its contribution to the area’s visual amenity.”

In his application and his appeal, Mr Wright said putting adverts on the walls of the pub would deter vandalism, and pointed to three other signs historically displayed on the building.

Ms Swift-Adams responded: “Whilst the appellant expresses concern that, if left blank, the pub walls may be subject to vandalism, there is no evidence to support this. They state there is graffiti elsewhere in Alexandria, but do not give specific examples.

"I did not see any graffiti or other vandalism during my site visit, even in ‘usual suspect’ locations such as roller security shutters or the retaining walls on the roads around the railway station.

“Though the appellant states the signs would replace three others that were historically displayed on the building, the council states those advertisements were unauthorised.

“I conclude that the proposed advertisements would be contrary to the interests of amenity, and that granting consent would not be appropriate.”

Read Ms Swift-Adams' report in full online at dpea.scotland.gov.uk.