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5:20pm Thursday 24th November 2011 in News By James Wallin
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)
leobrighton
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5:51pm Thu 24 Nov 11
rolivan
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5:55pm Thu 24 Nov 11
rolivan
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5:56pm Thu 24 Nov 11
Morpheus
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9:36am Fri 25 Nov 11
NotaBene
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10:40am Fri 25 Nov 11
PeteDuncan
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12:20pm Fri 25 Nov 11
sick of whingers
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1:23am Wed 30 Nov 11
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