A SIX-YEAR battle over the signage for a popular town centre restaurant has reached a head with a removal order.

Rahela Khanom, who owns the Shahi Raj on Winchester Street, has spoken of her anguish and stress over her long-running signs battle with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC).

Mrs Khanom, who has been running the restaurant for more than 20 years, has been embroiled in an expensive row to keep her signage in place, which the council says is in a conservation area.

She says she feels she is the only business being targeted in the small row of traders in Winchester Street, receiving a letter from TVBC ordering her to remove the signs. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

If she complies Mrs Khanom says she believes it will cause irreparable damage to her business.

She told the Advertiser: “Who can run a business in the middle of town without a sign saying it’s there? I work seven days a week to keep this business going. I’ve been trying my best to deal with this and now I get a letter telling me I have to take it down.

“I have been in touch with councillors and our local MP Sir George Young. I just don’t know what to do or where to turn.”

A council spokesman said: “As we have said previously, our concern is not with the size or colour of the sign, rather it is the material used and incorporated lighting which is not appropriate for display on a listed building in a conservation area.

“The application originally submitted for the unauthorised signs was not in line with council policy. However, we have worked with Mrs Khanom to agree an amended advertising consent application, which is currently out for public consultation.

“The consultation is due to close on 28 February and we hope to be in a position to determine the application as soon as possible after this date.”