MO’F wins poster contract for Manchester

More O’Ferrall has won the role of sole poster contractor and planning policeman for Manchester City Council after a pitch against other national contractors (MW July 12).

It gives billboard rights to all of the council’s property in return for the contractor policing all poster sites in the city. A number of other city councils are considering copying Manchester’s innovative deal.

MO’F pitched against the other main national poster contractors, Maiden and Mills & Allen, as well as North-west regional contractors.

It gives MO’F access to 140 existing 48-sheet posters and 40 96-sheets and it is believed the potential exists to build more.

MO’F is understood to be awaiting a briefing from the council to outline how it wants to deal with poster sites deemed illegal by local planning byelaws.

Under-resourced council planning departments mean many illegal poster sites are left alone.

“The policing powers give MO’F the potential for considerable power,” says an industry source.