Signage application submitted as Montezuma's plans return to Chichester
A new chocolate shop could soon be opening in at a vacant South Street unit.
Montezuma's has applied to Chichester District Council for advertisement consent to install two non-illuminated fascia signs and one non-illuminated projecting sign at 24 South Street. The application is currently awaiting a decision.
Planning documents state that the proposals aim to 'update the front of the store to reflect brand colours, adding logos and a hanging sign'.
The plans include a painted wooden fascia signboard with acrylic lettering, featuring a teal background with black text, as well as a non-illuminated hanging sign projecting from the building.
In a clarification submitted to the council, Rachael Hirst confirmed that the signage would not feature lighting.
The signage plans come as Montezuma's begins promoting its upcoming Chichester store online with a 'we’re coming soon!' announcement.
Customers are being invited to sign up for updates and details of an opening offer.
The chocolate company previously confirmed it would open a new Chichester store this year, following the closure of its Birdham pop-up shop. The brand also previously operated a permanent store on East Street in the city centre.
Founded by Helen and Simon Pattinson, Montezuma's opened its first shop on Duke Street in Brighton in 2000 after the pair left their careers as lawyers to pursue chocolate making.
The company has built its reputation around ethical and sustainable chocolate production, describing its mission as bringing 'chocolate innovation' to the UK market.
However, in 2023 the company announced the closure of several stores, including its original Duke Street branch in Brighton as well as locations in Southampton and Norwich, citing the impact of the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
The planned return to Chichester marks the latest step in the brand’s expansion as it prepares to welcome customers to its new city centre location.