Superdry backs down over The Moderne sign fiasco in Cork

International clothes retailer Superdry has backed down and reinstated the famous sign over the former Moderne store it now occupies on Cork’s main shopping street.

Superdry restored the distinctive sign over its premises on St Patrick’s St following the intervention of planning officials and a formal complaint from a member of the public.

The company declined to comment yesterday on the work which was completed in recent days.

The move was welcomed last night by City Hall, and by Tony McGrath, the man who first complained.

The fashion chain was the subject of a complaint after the distinctive façade of the Moderne store was painted over and replaced with a neon Superdry sign.

The old sign was painted over despite requests from planning officials for more information ahead of their decision on the retailer’s request for permission to change the shop front.

The fashion chain had initially painted over and replaced it with a neon Superdry sign. Picture: Denis Minihane

Planning files showed Superdry had requested permission for the removal of the old signs over the shop fronts at 9-11 French Church St and at 89-90 St Patrick’s St, and for the installation of an internally illuminated ‘Superdry Store’ sign.

Planners raised concerns about it, citing the “architectural merit” of the building, its bronze shop front which is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, and given its location within the Paul St Conservation Area.

Planners said the proposal to overboard the existing fascia was unacceptable and they advised Superdry to submit a revised proposal, which they said should be “sympathetic to the style of the building”.

Despite the request, the Moderne sign was covered over, prompting a complaint to the planning enforcement section by Mr McGrath.

He pointed to the fact that other stores, such as Debenhams, which kept the Roches Stores sign above its outlet on the opposite side of St’s Patrick’s St, showed respect for the heritage of their premises.

He said that, from a visual perspective, the Moderne sign was distinct, unusual, unique to the streetscape, and worth keeping.

The old Moderne sign has now been restored. It was not clear last night whether Superdry plans to submit plans for its own signage.

The retailer said: “We have been working with planning officials to ensure the right outcome and are confident we have found the right way forward.”

Meanwhile, a crucial decision from An Bord Pleanála over the operation of three Starbucks outlets in the city centre is still awaited.

A planning row flared earlier this year over the interpretation of planning law as it relates to the change of use of a premises.

It was sparked following the opening of a third Starbucks outlet in the city. Starbucks outlets are now in operation on Prince’s St, in the historic and protected Queen Anne House on Emmet Place, and on St Patrick’s St.

It is understood that the franchise operator’s interpretation of planning law is the outlets did not require planning permission because there had been no change in use of the premises, each of which were former retail outlets.

However, planners have interpreted the law differently, arguing that the franchise operator must apply for planning permission.

City planners referred the matter to An Bord Pleanála, requesting it to make a determination on the matter.

A decision is expected early in the new year.