A GARISH York city centre shop front could soon be a thing of the past.

Businesses in Pavement complained that the newly-revamped Ball's Shoes - now called Shoe Carnival - was a "tacky monstrosity" that would not look out of place on Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Now Jonathan Carr, City of York Council development control officer, said the frontage must be changed because planning permission was never sought.

The shop, which is a listed building, replaced its reserved colour scheme with dazzling reds, greens and yellows and two large dancing circus clowns were placed over the shop sign.

In line with the circus theme, the words, "Roll up, roll up, roll up for the greatest shoe value on earth", appear in bright-coloured letters on the front of the shop.

Mr Carr said: "We're writing to the owners of Shoe Carnival to advise them to remove the shop frontage.

"We're concerned that it is a listed building and the frontage looks out of character in the area.

"If they refuse to change it the next stage would be enforcement action.

"We have to inform them of their rights to apply for planning permission, but I'm not sure it would be granted in this case."

Simon Williams, owner of next-door Hamilton's Old Fashioned Sweet Shop, branded the frontage a "disgrace".

"Common sense has prevailed," he said.

"Hopefully they will come up with something more in keeping with the rest of the buildings in York city centre."

Darrell Buttery, acting-chairman of the York Civic Trust, said he was "delighted" with the decision.

He told the Evening Press: "I'm very pleased that the council is acting with some force at last.

"I'm hopeful it will set a precedent for other businesses intent on destroying the character of the city centre.

"Eternal vigilance is needed over these matters."

A spokesman for Shoe Carnival said: "We will look at the information supplied by the council and re-evaluate our position from there."

Updated: 08:30 Wednesday, October 24, 2001