JCDecaux losses double as council cancels lease

PRE-TAX losses at French company JCDecaux that has a host of deals with local authorities over the operation of “superloos” doubled in 2010 to €130,595.

According to accounts recently filed with the Companies Office, pre-tax losses increased at JCDecaux Ireland Ltd after revenues fell by 8.2% from €14.6 million to €13.4m in the 12 months to the end of December 2010.

Part of JCDecaux Ireland Ltd’s business is the leasing of “superloos” to local authorities.

Last week, Kilrush Town Council in Co Clare announced that it was serving notice on JCDecaux Ireland to terminate its 20-year lease agreement with the firm seven years early. The council is to incur a penalty of €60,382 (inc VAT) and pay that amount to the firm.

JCDecaux also has a 20-year lease with Listowel Town Council for a superloo in the Kerry town and a report by the council stated that breaking the contract would mean the council incurring significant costs. The accounts do not provide any details of what revenues are generated from its self-cleaning superloo leases with local authorities.

The numbers employed by JCDecaux last year decreased from 69 to 67. The firm’s accumulated profits at the end of December 2010 amounted to €13.6m.

The principal activity of the company is the provision of outdoor advertising, using street furniture and large formal advertising structures.