Sale of CD1 plate for £165,000 stalls (From The Argus)
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Sale of Brighton and Hove mayor's CD1 plate for £165,000 stalls
1:50pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News
The CD1 number plate on the Brighton and Hove mayor's car
An historic number plate remains unsold – six months after going on the market for a cool £165,000.
For years CD1 has signalled the arrival of Brighton and Hove’s mayor.
But, despite some claiming it was “madness” to sell off the family silver, the number plate was put up for sale in July.
Brighton and Hove City Council claimed the proceeds could go towards one-off grants to support charities and community groups.
But six months on, the plate remains unsold, with the local authority admitting there had only been a “couple of inquiries” for it in that time.
A spokeswoman for CarReg.com, which is advertising the plate on its website, said: “Sometimes they can sell in a matter of hours or overnight but sometimes it takes up to 12 months.
'Desireable plate'
“There’s no rhyme or reason for it.
“It is a very desirable plate. Those with initials with 1 after it are the most valuable available.
“With CD1 I think it’s due to the price, as there are not many people about with that kind of money.”
During the council budget discussions last year, the potential sale of CD1 was one of the most controversial topics.
At the time, council leader Jason Kitcat called it “just a piece of plastic with a number on it”.
But others claimed the plate, which was the first registration number issued by Brighton Borough Council in 1904, was a priceless part of the city.
'City heritage'
Labour councillor Penny Gilbey said: “I would love to keep CD1 which I do consider as part of the city’s heritage.
“If it can still be saved I would love to see it kept and hope that this could be considered again.
“It is, after all, a CD1 and only.
“I wonder in these difficult times who could afford to buy a personalised plate.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The price is based on estimates from three different dealers.
“The funding was earmarked for a new voluntary sector grants scheme.
“This will not be initiated until the plate is sold and therefore has no direct impact on the budget.”
Talking point: Is CD1 part of the city's heritage or is it 'just a piece of plastic'? Share your views by commenting below or submit your thoughts to The Argus letters pages by emailing letters@theargus.co.uk
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Comments(18)
terrace cred.
says...
2:30pm Tue 8 Jan 13
jk, ur a1
- but at least you're biodegradeable.
holding up the carrot of charity grants makes the sale none the more wholesome.
next you'll be trying to convert the mayoral chain into summat that'll clank around a bicycle pedal.
anyone wanna buy a couple of floreatin' coats of arms?
Pebbles
says...
2:37pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Why not have the same attitude towards the statue of Queen Victoria and others, because lets face it, they are simpy blocks of iron.
Hopefully you and the others will be disgarded when the people come to vote.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
3:15pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Can't think of any other celebs with CD as initials.
ThinkBrighton
says...
3:19pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Another Greens B**LS UP
Vote them out
Vigilia
says...
3:27pm Tue 8 Jan 13
It would have raised just about half the annual cost of supporting their travellers.
Crystal Ball
says...
3:57pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Algeria Touchshriek wrote:Charles Darwin? Christian Dior? Cathy Dennis? Celine Dion?
Colin Dexter may be interested.
Can't think of any other celebs with CD as initials.
T.J.
says...
4:26pm Tue 8 Jan 13
sussexram40
says...
4:38pm Tue 8 Jan 13
xc90chris
says...
4:53pm Tue 8 Jan 13
ton-hove.gov.uk/mgEP
etitionDisplay.aspx?
Id=360.
GIVE UP
says...
5:35pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Sussex jim
says...
5:45pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Some time in the future, when both the Council and the streets have been cleaned up.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
8:11pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Hoarder12345444
says...
9:53pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:hahahaha, nice one Maxwell, that's a good one!
Seedy 1......sell it to one of the many celebs who are appearing in court on sex assault charges and then donate the money to charities which protect children from perverts.
funkyyoyo
says...
12:33am Wed 9 Jan 13
funkyyoyo
says...
12:41am Wed 9 Jan 13
Uncle_Meat
says...
12:48pm Wed 9 Jan 13
Idontbelieveit1948
says...
8:55pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Crystal Ball wrote:Caroline Ducas !
Algeria Touchshriek wrote:Charles Darwin? Christian Dior? Cathy Dennis? Celine Dion?
Colin Dexter may be interested.
Can't think of any other celebs with CD as initials.
paul76 says...
2:16pm Tue 8 Jan 13
How about Brighton rids the town of the Greens? Maybe sell them to another town?