'Stubborn' cafe owner wins appeal over banned sign

A business owner told to take a sign down to preserve the "special character" of the area has won an appeal to keep it.

Henna Karim-Sayer installed a plastic sign on The Bairns play cafe when it opened in Sleaford in August 2025. However, North Kesteven District Council told her to change it soon after.

She appealed to the government's planning inspectorate, which upheld her appeal, saying the sign on the Grade II listed building was "not harmful" to the building or its appearance. The council said it accepted the decision.

"I don't think the council realised how stubborn I was," Karim-Sayer said of the months-long battle with the authority.

Speaking on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, she said: "It's just a weight off my shoulders to not have to pay for a new sign.

"It's been the talk of the town for months, and people have been asking about it.

"I can finally say 'we won'."

The cafe owner previously said she thought she was being "made an example of to set the tone of what they want for the High Street".

The council said businesses had been given "clear guidance" of appropriate materials to use and were given the option for grants towards the cost of the more expensive wooden signs.

In its decision, the planning inspectorate said although the sign was "not in accordance with the guidance" it was "not harmful to the significance of listed buildings or visual amenity".

It added that the sign "preserves the character and appearance" of the area.

Responding to the decision by the planning inspectorate, a council spokesperson said: "The council accepts the decision of the inspector and has no further comment."

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