City manager defends method of advertising

CORK’S city manager has defended using the main street’s landmark lights for advertising.

Dozens of large triangular flags advertising an engineering exhibition in City Hall have been strapped to some of St Patrick’s Street’s 13 Pitmit lights, valued at €17,429 each, and to some of the 22 Sarah Flannery Lamps, valued at €17,111 each.

The striking lights were designed by Catalan architect Beth Gali as part of the complete overhaul of the main thoroughfare completed in 2004. Since then, flags advertising festivals and civic events have been attached to the lamps using plastic cable ties.

Councillor Jerry Buttimer raised the issue with the manager Joe Gavin this week. He said using the lamps for advertising was inappropriate and said it was a negative visual impact on the street which has been named Ireland’s best shopping street.

“Would the manager not agree that the flags make the street look tacky and cheap?” he said.

But Mr Gavin rejected the assertion describing the lamps as an “excellent medium” for advertising.

“I think the flags add enormously to the lights. The flags are used to advertise non-commercial events only. I think the lights are better with, than without, the flags,” he said.

However, Mr Buttimer said he and the manager would have to agree to differ and said the issue highlighted the need for municipal notice boards in the city centre.

The city took the lighting scheme in charge last year following the end of the warranty period during which the lights were maintained by Sean Ahern Electrical Ltd. That firm now has the maintenance contract on a call-out basis.

The city paid the company €4,021 last year to inspect and maintain the lights. The light’s 250 watt discharge lamps have a three-year lifespan.