Carl Minns: No regrets about pulling plug on big screen ahead of World Cup (poll)
HULL City Council leader Carl Minns says he has no regrets about axing Hull's big screen as other cities prepare to show World Cup matches on theirs.
As the Mail reported, the screen in Queen Victoria Square, city centre, was removed in February after the city council pulled the plug on funding.
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Fans watch a game on the big screen in 2006.
The big screen originally cost taxpayers £650,000 when the council authority ago.
At the time the decision sparked controversy because there was no consultation.
Operating the screen for a further three years would have cost another £250,000.
But without any sponsors in place, the authority decided to pull the plug.
Several cities with big screens are expecting large crowds to watch live matches from the World Cup in South Africa.
Councillor Minns said: "I have no regrets whatsoever about getting rid of the big screen.
"It was a waste of taxpayers' money in the first place and I could not justify spending even more money on it over the next three years."
In Manchester, thousands of fans are expected to pack into the city's Castlefield Arena to watch the World Cup on a big screen.
Leeds is also showing every England game live on its big screen in Millennium Square, with crowds of up to 8,000 expected.
Big screens in Dover, Leicester and Swansea will also be screening live matches.
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by Mark, HULL
Saturday, June 12 2010, 6:37PM
“Should never have been bought without sponsorship. Thats why Leeds turned it down and got one later that didn't cost the tax payer an arm and a leg. Of course you could argue get and then get sponsors, but in all its time with the council searching only £40,000 was ever raised.”
by Chris, Hull
Saturday, June 12 2010, 9:17AM
“You had your vote when you voted Lib/Dem. But I didn't like it at all and worst still the the awful thing was a money sink which was bought in haste and repented at leisure.”
by roger, Hull
Friday, June 11 2010, 9:53PM
“Their is only one against the big screen and that was Carl Minns,the people of Hull and surrounding area should have votedon this ,the council in the first place voted in the big screen then the tax payer should have had the last say.
Carl Minns think what you are doing to the people of Hull that big screen should have stayed and bring in extra money to the city.”
by Jason, Hedon / Portsmouth
Friday, June 11 2010, 7:07PM
“Could I propose the scrapping of Carl Minns?”
by Jason, Hull
Friday, June 11 2010, 12:14PM
“The big screen was tied to the BBC who wont allow advertising, Who in there right mind would sponsor a screen without being acknowledged. Should have opened the screen to commercial channels, bringing valuable commercial sponsors to keep it running”