Sainsbury’s has given up on plans to erect a 4ft sign spelling out the company’s name on the roof of its recently extended store in Cobham.

The company had already put up the sign before the store in Bridge Way, just off the A3, was reopened earlier this month, but was forced by Elmbridge Council to take it down, as it had been erected without planning permission.

Cobham Fairmile Councillor James Browne said the sign, which could be viewed while driving up the A3, made the area look like an American-style strip mall.

Sainsbury’s intended to apply for permission to re-erect the sign in an application heard at a planning meeting this week, but withdrew from the application the proposals for that sign and two others.

At the meeting on Monday, July 28, Coun David Tipping, who represents Cobham Downside said: “Sainsbury’s has certainly seen the light and removed the signs because they looked terrible.”

However, leader of the council Councillor Roy Taylor, disagreed with his Tory colleague.

Coun Taylor said: “I was surprised Sainsbury’s removed the signs - the A3 is littered with them.”

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