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Giant advert plan for Brighton's Palace Pier

An artist's impression of the advert An artist's impression of the advert

The Palace Pier could be transformed into a giant billboard for passing planes.

Talks are underway to create a 96,000 sq ft advert – more than two acres – on top of the city landmark.

The firm with the lofty vision says it hopes Brighton will be the first of a series of iconic locations around the world to host the colossal commercials.

Gap Daemon, a gap year travel website, wants to cover the geo dome at the end of the pier with one of its adverts.

Peter Duncan, the company’s co-founder, said: “We want to associate ourselves with the pier in the way Emirates is with Arsenal’s stadium.

“This would be the first in a series of landmark locations where we want to create adverts.

"We are looking all across the world – from America to Thailand – but Brighton was one of the first we discussed.

“It’s such a fun place and it evokes memories of holidays to the seaside in a lot of people.

“But we are at a very early stage in negotiations and we understand the sensitivities of dealing with a Grade II* listed building.”

Mr Duncan said the company was keen to secure a contract on a rolling annual basis.

He said the pier’s position on the Gatwick flightpath and next to the Brighton Wheel were not the only attractions of the possible deal, citing the advert’s possible appearance on Google Earth as another factor.

Anne Martin, the manager at the Palace Pier, confirmed that the Noble Organisation, which owns the pier, was talking to Gap Deamon about the proposal.

She said: “It is very early days. There are a number of planning issues to be resolved.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Our planning team advise this would need planning permission, both for an advertisement and for a development affecting a listed building.”

The tourist landmark was put up for sale by the owners in June.

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Comments(8)

MantaRay1 says...
5:37pm Thu 24 Nov 11

Brilliant idea. No doubt there will be plenty of local objectors though claiming it will lead to an excess of low flying 747's invading the city for a closer look.

leobrighton says...
5:51pm Thu 24 Nov 11

Doubtful whether many people will see or be able to read it anyway. Surely the seafront residents will object as it will ruin their views.

rolivan says...
5:55pm Thu 24 Nov 11

I hope they have done their homework because I thought planes flew to the east and west of Brighton going iover Bognor area and Eastbourne

rolivan says...
5:56pm Thu 24 Nov 11

I hope they have done their homework because I thought planes flew to the east and west of Brighton going over Bognor area and Eastbourne

Morpheus says...
9:36am Fri 25 Nov 11

The planes will have to make a diversion and fly lower than normal. Will the pilots have to tell pasepsengers to look out of the windows? It is the people sitting on the wrong side of the plane I feel sorry for. Crazy idea!

NotaBene says...
10:40am Fri 25 Nov 11

What a great PR stunt by Gap Daemon - simply mock up a photo of the pier with the ad in place and then release it to the media for loads of free advertising in the gullible local press! Brilliant.

PeteDuncan says...
12:20pm Fri 25 Nov 11

On behalf of Gap Daemon I felt I must respond to the comments above. This is certainly not a spoof.
Firstly, while it would be great to be viewed from passing planes and even better, from space, we know this aint realistic. Google Earth however is another matter and Google love creative updates.
With regard to spoiling residents' views; the success of the publicity is in the way it will be used - away from the Pier. In the same way as, say, The Emirates Stadium. The intended signage and branding will be low key and will certainly not obscure the view. Brighton has wonderfully combined seaside fun and palatial elegance for hundreds of years. Dont move there if you want a boring life!

sick of whingers says...
1:23am Wed 30 Nov 11

Hope Helen carter cant see it from her window!!

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