MORE than 950 people have signed a petition in support a small business which is being "forced" to change the colour of its shop.

Cariad Cards and gifts, on High street Denbigh, has been open for two years and is painted bright blue in colour.

Earlier this week, owner Christopher Bonnell revealed his sadness after being told that a complaint had been made to Denbighshire County Council about the colour of the shop's facia and signage.

The shop has now been told it change the building to heritage colours but, as an added insult, he first has to apply to the local authority for permission to be able to change it.

Speaking to the Free Press, Mr Bonnell, 55, who lives in St Asaph but is soon moving to Denbigh, said: "Someone in Denbigh finds the colour of our facia and signage offensive. I feel annoyed. It is already hard enough to survive in the town and yet the council are wasting their time and resources on this.

"We must first apply to the council for permission to change it, and then there is the work. It's going to cost me unnecessary money which I don't have.

"I'm not going to give in without a fight. I shouldn't be singled out - we have never had any negative feedback before. If I have to change my colours then all the other shops should change their colours. I don't know anything about the complainant - they just told us, members of the public. The whole thing is ludicrous, in fact it's bordering on absolute madness."

As the building has a listed status, Mr Bonnell must change the shop to "heritage colours".

"A heritage colour is a heritage colour - a dull colour. We are a card shop, we don't want something dull - we want something inviting," Mr Bonnell added.

"Since I put my sign up two years ago, costs have gone up.

"They are not going to get the better of me."

Mr Bonnell, who is waiting for a meeting with the Council, said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from the community, including comments on a post featured on his Cariad Cards and gifts Facebook page which has attracted more than 200 comments.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The council has received a complaint about the work carried out. 

“As the building is listed, any painting work would need consent from the local planning authority. 

“As such, we have now written to the property owners requesting they repaint the signage and the fascia. 

“To do so would require consent, as it will be classed as an alteration to a listed building. 

“The property is located in a conservation area where the principle of preserving the heritage character applies, meaning that certain paint colours may not be acceptable.”

To support Cariad Cards and gifts's petition, visit www.change.org and search 'shop colours' or find Cariad Cards and gifts on Facebook.