SIGNS for a proposed Home Bargains store on Ystwyth Retail Park have been approved - despite calls from Aberystwyth Town Council to have all external signs in both English and Welsh.

Home Bargains, which will take up the empty unit left by the closure of Budgens, received the go-ahead for the signage with its brand name and slogan ‘Top Brands, Bottom Prices’ untranslated.

The signage plans have been approved by Ceredigion planning officers under their delegated powers.

A full planning application was not required as the current use falls within the same use class - meaning Home Bargains can proceed with taking over the store.

Home Bargains was the second major national retailer with plans to open a store in Aberystwyth which potentially faced a battle with councillors over the lack of Welsh in its sign.

It was revealed in April that Marks and Spencer had backed down in its insistence that it should not have to translate ‘Foodhall’ at its new store on the Mill Street development.

The company claimed it was a brand and therefore did not require translating, but after a battle chose instead not to erect the sign at all.

Town councillors opposed the proposed Home Bargains signage (pictured) back in August because “it is not bilingual”, and is “internally lit”.

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