Midlothian nail salon in Dalkeith ordered to repaint pink shop front pleads to keep sign

A nail salon boss who repainted her shop front after planners objected to its pink colour is now pleading to keep its expensive sign.

The manager of USA Nails, on Dalkeith High Street, was served with an enforcement notice by Midlothian Council after making changes to the Category C building without planning permission.

Officers ordered the business to change the colour of its frontage, which was painted bright pink, and replace its red, white and blue sign, which it said was not in the traditional style in the conservation area.

However the boss has lodged an appeal with Scottish Ministers after saying she has already repainted the front of the salon but wants to be allowed to keep the signage.

In her appeal she said: “I had to wait so long to get it and it is expensive for a new (business) owner like me so I would be really grateful if I could keep it.”

And she adds she believes the salon will bring something positive to the town centre saying: “I hope our beauty salon can give a hand to make Dalkeith beautiful.”

Planning officers served the enforcement order on the business in August saying the changes to the front of the salon had had a ‘significant adverse impact’ on it which was ‘harmful’.

They said: “The use of traditional materials, colours and designs for the shopfront and signage are encouraged to preserve the historic interest of the listed building and prevent detrimental impact to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“The signage installed does not respect the historic character and appearance of the shop front and detracts from the character, appearance and historic interest of the property.”

A reporter will be appointed to hear the appeal case.