Dublin City Council Grinches
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Update – Darragh has done a video of the sound coming from BT’s.
I’ve changed my mind now about them blasting out this music on the street.
I think I wasted 2 hours of my life doing this post up (I know, I know – it only looks like a 10 minute job).
[Above: How the next edition of the Dublin City Council Newsletter won’t look]
This just beggars belief. As reported in the Irish Times, Dublin City Council is investigating Brown Thomas on Grafton Street for noise pollution.
From the photo in the paper, they have a lovely Christmas display up in their window. To attract shoppers, there is Christmas music playing during the evening. Since Grafton Street is part of an Architectural Conservation Area, there are some rules about noise:
“No amplified announcements, music or other material shall be played from any premises to advertise goods or services… Any such sounds within the premises shall be controlled so as to be inaudible from adjoining premises or at two metres from the frontage”.
They play music every year and although I haven’t been up that way to see the display or hear the music, I know from previous years that the sound isn’t what you would call noise pollution. So what if it breaks the rules? It’s Christmas and a bit of Christmas spirit and flexibility is surely in order.
It’s only a couple of weeks ago that the Mayor of Dublin switched on the Christmas lights and called it “civic patriotism” to shop in Dublin. Whilst I agree with that sentiment entirely, it really rankles when officialdom start hounding a retailer for playing some Christmas music.
According to reports in today’s Mail on Sunday, BT have switched off the music in what seems to be a victory for the Grinches in “City Hall”. If I were BT I’d turn this into a PR opportunity. Dress up as grinches and play music very very loudly right outside their door. The Christmas music shouldn’t be silenced without a bit of a fight!
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4 Comments
November 25th, 2008 at 1:42 am
No, AJ, it’s not Christmas. Not for a month. Having heard a really terrible, cheap, sounds-like-it-came-from-the-bargain-bin of Tower Records cover of the Twelve Days of Christmas blasting out of the shop, drowning out the buskers, the charity collectors and the phone call I was having at the time, I think they might have a point in wondering WHY they’re doing this?
There’s a difference between decent and invasive marketing. Certainly what I experienced was the latter.
Similarly, their display, though fancy, is immemorable and tacky. Same old, same old traditionless stuff. It could be summer’s with holly, if you get me.
I sound very negative but I’m quite disappointed by them.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
First off, I’ve not seen the display first hand – just seeing the photo on the paper – but other years have been festive enough I thought + the music (to my ears) didn’t disturb anything that was happening on the street. I rather think Tower Records may be a different story altogether.
I’m no fan of Christmas starting early myself – and I have blogged about this already – but at this stage (late November) people are doing their Christmas shopping and the bit of festive music is no big affront.
When you say it’s not Christmas for a month, you’re right – but are you saying you won’t be attending Christmas parties/events before December 24th/25th and getting into the festive spirit?
November 28th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
AJ, sorry if I came across as personally attacking you in my comment – I wasn’t. I enjoyed the post but replied from the perspective of someone who is just sick to death of Christmas already. I’m just back from London where it was much the same, though the quality of decorations is a hundred times better.
To help you put with Brown Thomas, here’s a video I shot on the N95 on Tuesday. The audio hasn’t been enhanced in any way. So, Tuesday evening, 13 minutes past 6 on the 25 November, this from across the road. I hope it gives you some sense of how loud the music was, despite all the passing people.
Apologies for forcing Mariah on you, dude!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NYbN5SNe4I
As for the early Christmas – well, what if it started on December 8, the traditional culchie day? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t remember this huge build-up to a commercial Christmas 20 years ago – admittedly it was Kilkenny, but I don’t think there was loads of stuff in the shops until December. I just don’t see how a child now can be excited about it being Christmas other than it being about presents, shops and all the stuff you can get.
Yes, I’ll be celebrating the end of the year before the 24/25 – in fact I’m attending a Christmas Ball tomorrow night. Doesn’t mean I have to like the music blasting at me. I’d prefer to get into the spirit meself, not have it thrust on me.
November 30th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hey Darragh,
Oh, that’s actually worse than I thought.
I’ve changed my mind. They should keep it indoors.
re: Christmas starting early. I’m ok with it towards the end of November tbh. Nothing was as commercial back then though. I guess I’m coming at this from the other side of the counter so to speak and my post reflected that.
I would love to live a simpler life and not have to concern myself with all the “stuff” of modern life. Maybe the new year will force some changes on me – hopefully I can take on the challenge.
All the best