It’s been overhanging Broad Street for as long as many people can remember. But now the De Grey’s shop sign looks set to go.
Ludlow’s much loved, but sadly closed, café has been taken over by Wildwood. I asked what would happen to the elegant sign that hangs over Broad Street. The agents for the food company replied:
“Wildwood want to keep the hanging sign and may well keep it inside as a memento of the building’s former use as well-known tea rooms. Obviously it would want its own brand name on any replacement signage.”
There will be quite a bit of opposition to removal of this sign, from me included. The De Grey’s sign is part of Broad Street’s heritage. Wildwood should keep the sign and advertise their business in the shop windows and doorway.
I’ve asked the agents to contact Ludlow’s conservation committee for advice.
I noticed when I was in town last week that the old ‘AA’ sign at 28 Lower Broad Street had gone, as has the Green Dragon (ex-pub) sign on Old Street… I hope they will return?
I agree that it would be a great pity if this rather attractive hanging sign was removed. however, Wildwoods have taken over the premises and they are in business to make money. I think that they should be asked to keep the sign, and it’s traditional slanted lettering font and colouring, ie black and gold, but with their own name on it, compromising by adapting their own logo style to be in keeping with ‘the most beautiful street in England’
Sadly De Greys, for many reasons, went belly up after over a century, but it would be confusing for customers of Wildwoods if the old name remained, and the compromise recommend above might be acceptable to everyone involved?
Vis a Vis maintaining traditional signs…
I also noted the loss, several years ago when developers made flats above what is now Country Casuals, of an extremely interesting plaque noting the existence of a Dames School on the site. what happened to that?