Plans submitted for 14-metre illuminated advertisement on Edinburgh's Princes Street
Plans have been submitted for the advertisement on the building at the junction with Hanover Street
Plans have been submitted to install a large 14-metre illuminated advertisement on scaffolding at a building on Princes Street.
It’s the latest case of large advertising on the famous thoroughfare, with the former Forsyth’s and Top Shop store at 30-31 Princes Street having been in the news recently due to a massive KFC ad wrapping round two sides of the building.
The newest application was lodged by outdoor advertising company Infinity Outdoor.
They are seeking permission to wrap scaffolding around a building at the junction with Hanover Street in a branded advertising display.
The proposed structure would function as an illuminated advertising shroud, meaning it would both conceal ongoing building works and display the large-scale advert, visible day and night due to lighting.
The temporary advert would only be in place for the duration of the redevelopment work.
Infinity Outdoor have proposed the lighting will only be operational during the hours of darkness.
The application comes as a large KFC advert was mounted on the scaffolding of the A-listed former Forsyth’s department store building this month.
The move sparked anger and criticism among locals and conservationists, who have since criticised the “commercial takeover” of the Capital’s historic environment. The KFC advert, which incorporated two large QR codes, has since been replaced by a Chanel advert featuring Hollywood actress Margot Robbie.
Within the application, Infinity Outdoor director Mark Wilkinson wrote: “Not to allow the site at 72-77 Princes St & 1-5 Hanover St. to be illuminated would create an unfair advantage to other similar banner advert sites, of which there are several within very close proximity to this location.
“Illumination is vital to advertising brands, and many will not purchase a site where illumination is not installed.
“Edinburgh Council has advised it would treat all applications in the same manner and by allowing illumination on other locations but not the site in this application it will create an entirely unbalanced approach which will favour certain sites over others and put the application site at a distinct commercial disadvantage.”