Fresh Starbucks battle brewing over Ceannt Station signage

The owners of the Starbucks outlet at Ceannt Station have submitted fresh plans for signage on the building.

Last April, franchise holder Megdo Limited – which opened the outlet last year – was refused permission for what the City Council branded an “ugly” illuminated disc.

It also caused controversy because of its proposed location – just yards from a memorial plaque marking the 1916 Rising.

Now, the company has submitted a new application for a sign, which it stresses will not be illuminated and will be located over an existing Iranród Éireann sign.

According to an architectural heritage impact assessment included with the application, the building – which dates back to 1851 – will not be negatively affected by the sign.

“The works comprise fixing a small-scale circular sign on a projecting bracket to the front wall of Ceannt Station just east of the main entrance doorway above an existing larger Iarnród Éireann welcome sign.

“The sign is to be of high quality but discreet design, fixed securely to the wall masonry of the station.

“It is designed to maximise visibility of the otherwise reserved café premises within the station building from the main pedestrian thoroughfare of Eyre Square.

“The sign does not create an obstruction to full appreciation of any of the fine architectural details of the station building. The brand livery of green and white are colours which have been commonly seen on traditional advertising throughout the city core throughout the last century.

“The nature of Station Road as a cul-de-sac means that generally only station users will be likely to discover the existing Starbucks café. A small-scale projecting sign with the instantly recognisable, simple branding of the café is considered to be sufficient to significantly increase awareness of and customer interest in the business,” the heritage report reads.

The outlet is owned by brothers Colum and Ciarán Butler from Dublin, who operate the Irish arm of Starbucks. Their other Irish business interests include TGI Fridays and the hard Rock Café.

A decision is expected on the application by the end of the month.

Previously, the city’s Heritage Officer, Jim Higgins, complained that holes had already been drilled in the façade for the new sign which was proposed and rejected in the previous application.

“A sign has been erected already inside the station without planning permission and Starbucks have not applied for permission to erect a new sign on the front of the edifice which is an important historic and archaeologically significant protected structure. Holes have already been drilled in the façade for a new sign.

“Starbucks should, in my view, be applying for retention permission for the signs included inside the station and the holes drilled in the façade.

“The signs erected already are ugly, inappropriately large and made of materials which detract from the building internally. The proposed new sign is of the same nature – ugly, overly large and of inappropriate materials.

“It also detracts completely from the architectural setting and detracts from the newly re-erected historic plaque to Eamonn Ceannt.

“I am completely opposed to either the retention of the signs erected inside the building, the retention of the drill holes, or the granting of permission for any new signage to the frontage of the Protected Structure,” said Mr Higgins.

Environmental and planning watchdog group, An Taisce, also objected to the sign.

Planners decided that the sign failed to adhere to the principles of good design set out in the City Development Plan, and would also contravene national guidelines for built heritage.

They noted that there is already a similar sign inside the station, adjacent to the platform, which does not have planning permission.