OXFORD Civic Society has launched a campaign against “garish” posters and “dangerous” advertising boards members say are disfiguring the city’s historic shops.

The society warned the city faced“a slow death” as a retail centre if more shops disappear and historic buildings become eyesores.

The call came after a planning application to allow a parcel pick-up and foreign exchange business in one of Oxford’s most recognisable shops, 28 Cornmarket.

Chequepoint has been operating in the timber-framed building for six months.

A retrospective planning application has now been submitted by Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd for the change of use.

In a letter to the city council, the Civic Society said: “The exceptionally sensitive restored historic building is in a prominent position within the medieval city, next to one of Oxford’s oldest buildings, the tower of the church of St Michael at the Northgate.

“It is already disfigured with numerous garish posters and dangerously placed external A-boards, which detract seriously from its appearance and the setting of the church.

“The site deserves to be treated with respect due to its special position in the historic central conservation area.”

Vice-president Tony Joyce said: “There has been a lot of discussion about the degradation of our shopping streets. This really is a landmark building, which visitors see as fairly iconic.”

He said the society will propose working with the council and traders to examine ways to stop the further loss of historic shop fronts.

Architect John Melvin, author of The Stones of Oxford, said Oxford was in danger of destroying what brought visitors to the city.

He said: “If Oxford’s shopping streets cease to be attractive to tourists and the public, they will face a slow death. Tourism is one of the few growth industries. Oxford colleges can look after themselves but planners must stiffen their resolve and resist anything that makes Oxford’s main shopping area less attractive and entertaining.”

When his book was published highlighting disastrous Oxford retail developments, he said “infantile and bland architecture” now made Swindon a more attractive proposition for shoppers.

David Barker, area manager for Chequepoint, said the company had planning consent for the signs on the building. He said: “Our posters are no different from those of other retailers in the direct vicinity. We have one board outside. Other retailers have them.

“It is still a shop with people coming in. If anything we have put life back into it. It was empty before. It had been a mobile phone shop.”

Tony Brett, city councillor for Carfax and chairman of the planning review committee, said: “I understand the civic society’s concerns. But we have got to keep the city as a viable business centre as well as something of historic beauty. Cornmarket is not the most visually pleasing street in the city.”

He said it was more important to preserve historic frontages in areas such as Broad Street and Turl Street.