Colour-coded shop signs of predetermined sizes could soon be introduced across Bahrain in a bid to cut down on storefront clutter and offensive "eyesores".

The proposal comes from the Central Municipal Council, which wants the dimensions of a sign to reflect the size of the shop it represents - while its colour should also mirror the products within.

In this way a gold shop's sign would be yellow, a greengrocer's sign green, an electronics shop's red and a garage's blue, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Regulations are needed because none currently exist, council services and public utilities committee chairman Ahmed Al Ansari explained to councillors at their latest meeting.

"The signs are not organised and are eyesores because every commercial registration holder takes a decision to set up signs depending on their taste or what they believe suits their business," he said.

"Having unified colours will certainly ensure better organisation as all similar businesses would be grouped under one colour, making it easier to digest and end the ugliness currently seen in our markets and commercial streets," stated Al Ansari.

"We have decided to come up with different sizes for the signs because it is illogical for a small shop to have a big sign and a big shop to have a small sign - and there is a range that businessmen can choose from."

The council first aims to introduce its regulations in the Central Governorate before rolling out the new signs across the country in partnership with the Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry.

Under new rules all signs would be in Arabic and English, with the option of a third language, while offensive drawings or photographs would not be allowed.

"For example, a shop in Jurdab has a naked woman on the sign and there are no regulations against it, as explained by municipal officials, because the nature of the shop allows it," stated Al Ansari.

"The signs should be in Arabic and English and any other language if required depending on customers. But having signs in just Urdu, Filipino or Tamil or any other language is not acceptable as it is unclear what goes on inside unless one enters the place," he added.

The council's proposal will now be studied by Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi, who can authorise its roll-out in the Central Governorate and present the idea to Bahrain's four other governorates.-TradeArabia News Service