33 replies to this topic

[MichaelHooley]

Does anyone know who is responsible for establishing the parameters for the content of advertising banners that are being draped from the Market Hall?

[Fran]

The building itself is owned (I think) and certainly run by Amersham Town Council, so they would be my first port of call. Contact details are on their website here: http://www.amersham-.../Default_5.aspx

Are you concerned about physical parameters (i.e. size) or the content (words, pictures, nature of event)?

[MichaelHooley]

Many thanks. I'm specifically concerned about the non-Amersham related content currently on display to the High Street. Not only do I think it's inappropriate, but it's detracting from the beauty of the building.

[Fran]

Although I drive past it ten times a week, and I know there is a large banner there at the moment, I have no idea what it is for. (I'm not sure whether to be proud of my immunity to advertising and focus on the road, or embarrassed at how unobservant or forgetful I am.)

[sarah]

It's an advert for the Penn Music festival. Not exactly offensive!!

[PeterC]

Well its the thin end of the wedge. They will be taking ads for events in Chesham next.

[DeeJay]

I'm more concerned about the lack of apostrophe in the banner advertising the Queens (sic) Diamond Jubilee. It's not the best advert for the signmaker is it?

[MichaelHooley]

Thanks to Fran's input, I've posted the original question in Amersham's website and await a response.

Respectfully suggest to Sarah that any multi-coloured non Amersham-related advertising is - if not offensive - certainly an eyesore.

Hadn't noticed the lack of apo'strophe, DeeJay, but good point!

[Sunday Night]

As a rule, the sign writer will print to a brief and provide proofs for the job. If there are grammatical errors this will be the error / choice of the 'owner' of the banner.

[MichaelHooley]

I was impressed by the prompt response from the Town Clerk, which reads as follows:

"Thank you for your thoughts on the banner on Market Hall at the west end of the building. I quite understand your view that the banner detracts from this iconic building however the banners do make a valuable income for the Town Council - £40 per week. It was after a great deal of thought that the Councillors decided to allow these banners to go up as we have not increased the Council precept (tax) for this Council for the last two years. We have to find other ways to make some money so that we can continue to deliver the services and facilities that the Amersham residents currently enjoy from the Town Council."

It does seem a shame. Any thoughts as to how Amersham might raise £40 per week in some other manner?

[Fran]

My first thought is that £40 per week sounds quite cheap for such a big sign on such a prominent site (not that I have any idea how much billboards cost, but I assume it would be more). Maybe if they charged more, they could rent out the space less often, or else they could try charging the current price for a smaller sign?

[MichaelHooley]

Right. I have to "come out" and admit I think this is completely inappropriate usage for a building of the Market Hall's historic significance. But if I'd hoped to whip up a storm of protest, I've obviously failed.

Perhaps we're all just HS2'd out!

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

I have not yet seen it, (can anyone upload a picture?) so can't comment specifically, but in general in the past I always thought hanging banners from the building spoil the look of the building and area. Would other building owners be able to hang advertising banners from their buildings?

[MichaelHooley]

My camera is currently out of order with a software problem. Could someone else help? I will pass on your question concerning other property owners to the Town Clerk, as it seems to have direct relevance.

[David P]

The eastern side of the Town Hall is frequently used to advertise events being held in the Town Hall, which seems perfectly reasonable to me. I've not seen the western side used before but it is presently advertising a jubilee related event, something a lot of people are getting quite excited about.
Lighten up.

[DeeJay]

If it's £40 for a week's advertising on the side of the Market Hall then the council should start charging the owners of the A frames which are littering the pavement near the Memorial Gardens.

[Sunday Night]

The A Frames are advertising new businesses, new businesses that are revitalising Old Amersham and bringing people in from other towns and villages (inc. Penn!) to keep the established businesses going - businesses employing local people! Many of those shops and businesses that closed down over recent years, closed because there was not enough footfall and therefore associated spending, to sustain them. These were local businesses, run by local people, employing local people.

These same businesses are investing in the Jubilee event in the Old Town. It is great to see the community coming back together. It has been a long time since the town as been so vibrant. I was mildly amused yesterday to hear that one resident is "up in arms" about the bunting because "they don't support the royal family"! Perhaps they don't support the local community and local business either?

I live, work and drive through Old Amersham every day. The advertising on the Market Hall is only ever for local events, performed / put on by local people, for local people. No one is trying to make a fast buck, but instead to enhance the lives and interests of all and everyone local. Penn, is a surrounding village, with a community that brings revenues into Amersham, so really, what is the issue with a music event in the next village, that can e enjoyed by all, being advertised on the Market Hall?

It is possible, that the suggested increase in Amersham is the result of this anti-community feeling that many seem to have. It is well proven that the tighter the community and the better kept the environments are, the less vandalism there is.

I have no vested interest in any of the above other than as a resident who has lived and enjoyed living in Amersham for over 40 years (with a 20 year break in the middle!) and will continue to do so, even if this does mean navigating around the 2 or 3 A Frames than are considerately placed on the widest part of the Broadway - advertising local businesses and events!

[Fran]

One of the two banners currently on the market hall is for the jubilee festivities, and 60 years ago it had a large banner in a similar position to celebrate the coronation, as this photo shows: http://www.bucksfree...ebrate_Jubilee/

The link also mentions some of the jubilee events associated with Amersham museum.

[MichaelHooley]

A lovely picture, Fran! Thanks for posting it.

I think it's time for me to close out this moan ..... which (if I may remind a few other members) related solely to the non-Amersham, non jubilee-related, advertisement which has been draped on the western wall.

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

I managed to get a quick snap of the banner today, click the thumb nail at the bottom of this post

It may be promoting a local event, but I don't like it, I think it detracts from the historic building. Would people mind if the church hung banners on its side, or the Crown or Kings Arms? I have to say I don't like banners draped on other buildings too as I always think they look a bit shabby and sorry looking as they often droop and hang badly. The banner in the picture from the Coronation looked far more professional and in keeping.

I don't mind the A signs promoting local businesses, I hate signs tied to lamp posts often promoting giant rug or golf sales.

Am I becoming too grumpy?!


Also below, a picture of the Market Hall from a few years ago with a banner the other end, as it has often had.
That banner seems to be more in keeping, but it is all a matter of taste I suppose.

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•  Photo26-05-2012.jpg   69.74K   27 downloads

[MichaelHooley]

Needless to say (Matthew), I entirely agree with you.

[Milton]

There is now an illuminated Union Jack above the Town Council's incorrectly punctuated banner. I enjoy the celebratory sentiment, but the east face of the Market Hall now, in my opinion, looks awful. I think that a tacky illumination which would be more at home in Blackpool and a banner which is plain wrong is not suited to such a beautiful urban landscape.

[MichaelHooley]

There is now an illuminated Union Jack above the Town Council's incorrectly punctuated banner. I enjoy the celebratory sentiment, but the east face of the Market Hall now, in my opinion, looks awful. I think that a tacky illumination which would be more at home in Blackpool and a banner which is plain wrong is not suited to such a beautiful urban landscape.

You could also hardly miss, beneath the flag, a "Brought to you by ......." sign. So we are now into serious displays of commercial sponsorship on the Market Hall. Sad.

[BoisBoy]

I saw the illuminated Union Jack last night, there is also one over the Cancer Research shop up on the hill, horribly tacky and out of place, whoever thought they were a good idea?

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

Hmmm

Attached Files

•  Photo 07-06-2012 19 32 18.jpg   170.14K   37 downloads

[MichaelHooley]

I saw the illuminated Union Jack last night, there is also one over the Cancer Research shop up on the hill, horribly tacky and out of place, whoever thought they were a good idea?

I suppose "whoever thought they were a good idea" is, in no particular order, Chiltern DC (collecting rent on the walls of the Market Hall), Cancer Research and SparkX - the Berkhampstead-based electrical contractors who are sponsoring the electric Union flags.

Is this ok? Depends on your point of view. As I started with this rant, I think that renting the walls of the historic Market Hall is entirely inappropriate, but I'm evidently a party-of-one on that opinion.

Next question: Will the electric Union flags remain for the entire jubilee year?

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

I wounder if their are different rules for allowing an electric flag to be put on a building as opposed to an electric advert. I don't mind electric large Christmas decorations and even don't mind a company name beneath it as long as it is not blatantly an advert. the Union Jack flags I feel should really be treated the same way as a Christmas decoration, yet it does not seem to be in keeping. Where do you draw the line, I would hate there to now be a precedent to allow lots of illuminated displays on the two buildings which currently have the flag.

Gosh I am getting grumpy these days!

[HP6]

Feels like Piccadilly Circus at night. Nice tea dress in the shop window too.

[Fran]

What's really annoying me now is that the new banner beneath the union flag is significantly off centre and not horizontal.

(Penn Festival is still advertised on the other side because it isn't until July.)

[MichaelHooley]

What's really annoying me now is that the new banner beneath the union flag is significantly off centre and not horizontal.

(Penn Festival is still advertised on the other side because it isn't until July.)

I just spoke to Mrs. Wheeler, the Town Clerk, who advised as follows:

1. Instructions have gone out to the Parks Dept to take care of the crooked and off-centre sign, but they are very busy, following all the Jubilee activities.

2. The "sponsored" Union Flag will remain in place until after the Olympics.

3. The Penn Festival sign is overdue for removal as it's paid placement time has expired.

4. Sponsored banners are likely to be an ongoing activity due to present funding constraints, but the council is (allegedly) sensitive to the fact that advertising should relate only to local activities.

Everybody happy?