Workers at a popular cafe say trade has slumped since the council ordered it to repaint its familiar bright yellow shopfront.

The Beano in North Lane, Canterbury, had long been known for its eye-catching colour scheme and a sign bearing the logo of the famous comic it takes its name from.

But as part of the second phase of a crackdown on listed buildings with “garish” appearances in the city centre, the family business was threatened with legal action in April.

MustafaKovak, 18, says Canterbury City Council (CCC) gave his family just four weeks to repaint the building and install a new hand-painted sign, which cost £600.

“We had to change the whole shopfront, which was quite annoying,” he said.

“I think it was better the way it was before - it stood out in a good way and helped to attract people into the cafe, especially students and tourists.

“Since we’ve made the changes the council asked for, we’ve seen fewer customers through the door and I think it’s because the place doesn’t stand out as much anymore.”

The Beano is one of 22 businesses recently warned to alter inappropriate signage, lights and paintwork, or face prosecution.

CCC says the frontages of some listed buildings have been altered without permission and do not blend in with the heritage and history of the city centre.

It launched an initial crackdown last February, with dozens of high street traders found to have broken planning rules.

The authority has now expanded the operation into the Burgate, Sun Street, St Dunstan’s Street and North Lane areas of the city.

Council deputy leader Michael Dixey (Lib Dem) said: “We were all stung by the national headlines that compared Canterbury to a second-rate Las Vegas a few years ago and we all knew action had to be taken.

“We’re really pleased that many of the businesses we targeted in the first phase of this crackdown have responded positively.

“After 18 months, the few who have dragged their feet have now been served with enforcement notices.

“Our message is getting across to business owners who are really engaging with us and are genuinely keen to do the right thing.”

Altering a listed building without permission is a criminal offence, which means offenders can ultimately be fined or jailed.

Some business owners have accused the council of using heavy-handed techniques to force shopkeepers and landlords to make changes.

Christopher Nevill owns two Grade II-listed buildings home to a nail salon and hairdressers in Canterbury high street.

He was left feeling intimidated after receiving an enforcement notice last month after the council took issue with the shade of pink his building had been painted.

Despite securing permission to repaint the St Peter’s Street properties a lighter colour and starting work to do so, he was shocked to receive a threatening warning from the local authority.

“They could have just sent me a nice email asking how the progress of the painting was coming along,” he said.

“But they [used] a sledgehammer to crack a nut, even when there [was] no nut to crack.”

Nevertheless, others have welcomed the council crackdown, pointing to the importance of honouring the Cathedral city’s history.

The Canterbury Society and the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum offer advice to incoming business owners and have been working to produce a shopfront design guide.

Hilary Brian, chair of the Canterbury Society, is pleased to see CCC taking a more proactive role in sorting out eyesore shopfronts.

“With its World Heritage Site status, Canterbury is a city where you should be able to come and immerse yourself in its rich heritage,” she said.

“It is in all of our interests to ensure the heart of the city remains healthy, vibrant and is a place where people want to visit, shop and spend their leisure time.

“Garish and overbearing shopfronts stand out like a sore thumb and shatter that perception in an instant.

“I am convinced shopfronts that are sympathetic to the past will help drive footfall because the area becomes more attractive and that breeds confidence.”