When you’re a company the size of Apple, there’s not much you can’t get away with — but apparently erecting an illuminated flagpole in the center of London isn’t one of them.
Apple recently found itself on the wrong end of London’s City of Westminster council after applying to install two external light fittings to illuminate flags outside its iconic flagship Regent Street Apple store.
“The illuminated flag and flagpole would be incongruous and obtrusive features of the street and they would fail to maintain or improve (preserve or enhance) the character and appearance of the Regent Street Conservation Area,” the council’s director of planning John Walker told Apple in his rejection letter.
Apple’s flagship London store has been shut all of this year for refurbishments, which seem to be taking longer than expected. A temporary store was briefly opened in the basement when work began, but it has since closed down. Currently, there’s no date on when the store will reopen.
Working with Foster & Partners, the architectural firm responsible for London’s Gherkin skyscraper, Apple’s plans call for it to transform what it refers to as the “tired and outdated” look of the Regent Street Apple Store — even removing the instantly-recognizable four giant Apple logos outside the store entrance.
But apparently not replacing them with a new flagpole any time soon!
Source: ArsTechnica
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
7 responses to “Apple’s plans for illuminated flag pole outside London store get rejected”
Only Marxist flags can be illuminated everything else is RACIST at all times.
You’re not a very smart person, are you ?
Oh I’m sorry Karl, did I offend you ? Please mister, don’t report me to the The Gulag. please mister.
Oh there’s my favourite fascist again…
They refused it because they want to maintain the ‘classic British look’ of the street which is protected under ‘conservation act’. But yeah, let’s just be racist without even knowing what the discussion is all about…
hahahahahah, what are you some kind of retard ? The ‘classic British look’ there is no classic British look anymore you silly stupid Marxist. England is a multicultural hell hole now Karl. BTW Karl, calling people racist or fascist wont make you look morally superior it just makes you feel better about yourself. But hey if being a flabby leftist entitled beta male makes you happy who am I to judge.
Ok turban head, you keep backing Islamists. Guessing you live no where near any brown people. Hmm typical liberal idealists. I really hope you get cancer buddy.
Yeah…that’s why live in England is soooo depressive. Everything in England is about preservation. The modern, the fresh ideas are not welcome ! Be conservative is the best way to not be innovative.