No, we do not want flyers with that! - McDonald's remove illegal signposts from Highgate Road

Published: 13 January 2011
by DAN CARRIER

THEIR “golden arches” logo is a worldwide trademark and their company is worth billions. But all that hasn’t stop a McDonald’s restaurant enjoying a freebie.

This week, the company were forced into an embarrassing climbdown after McDonald’s adverts were spotted being put up illegally on lampposts on Highgate Road in Kentish Town, pointing the way to a nearby outlet. The signs, placed outside the Forum music venue, were removed soon after the New Journal began making enquiries – but not before photographic evidence was passed to Camden Council, known for its stringent pursuit of companies who fly-post. 

In 2005, the Town Hall successful sought Anti-Social Behaviour Orders against a company called Diabolical Liberties, who worked on behalf of multi-national companies such as Sony who had been plastering illegal adverts on walls in Camden Town.

Food critic Giles Coren, who lives in Kentish Town and has written before in the Times newspaper on what he considers the evils of the fast-food market, said he hopes the council take the illegal adverts for McDonald’s seriously. 

“It is an absolute outrage,” he said. “I have said for years their food should be illegal and that they should be pushing it this way is terrible. 

“It is bad enough that they are putting them up on high streets that school kids walk down each day. It is the height of irresponsibility, and, to make matters worse, to see it outside the Forum, this symbol of gnarly British culture, just makes it seem even worse.  

“I feel sorry for all those little, indie punk bands who had their collars felt over the years for putting up the odd poster, and here is this multi-billion pound, multi-national behaving in this way.”

The Town Hall said they would be looking into the issue. 

A spokesman said: “The council takes the issue of companies illegally advertising their goods by putting posters on trees, street furniture, post boxes, walls, buildings and telephone boxes without the permission of the council very seriously. Fly-posting is an illegal, anti-social activity that creates a negative impression of an area and contributes to people’s fear of crime. 

“The council is currently investigating the enquiry it received  about fly-posting on Highgate Road.”

A McDonald’s spokesman apologised for the signs and said staff had been sent to remove them when they heard the Town Hall were investigating. 

The spokesman added: “We are sorry that unauthorised marketing materials were displayed without following the correct process, which should always include formal approval by McDonald’s and seeking permission from the local council. As soon as we became aware of the problem, the signs were removed.”