Some ill-considered retail sites in Dublin:
1. Centra shop on Westmoreland Street Located directly opposite the O'Callaghan building and occupying the groundfloor of the Ballast Office with full-length windows looking on to both Westmoreland Street and Aston Quay, this shop has a particularly lurid turquoise and yellow plastic fascia and a fluorescent-lit interior with false ceiling.
2. Ann Summers on O'Connell Street Another instance of sadly ironic siting, this English sex-shop outlet stands directly opposite the GPO. Were its exterior facade and interior fit-out more discreet, Ann Summers might pass almost unnoticed, but another turquoise fascia outside and rampant use of strip lighting inside make the shop impossible to ignore.
3. French Connection on Clarendon Street A common failing among overseas chain stores moving into this country is an indifference to local circumstances. That is certainly the case here, with French Connection's corporate signage (FCUK) and styling making no concessions to the shop's location in an old building, opposite a church.
And one good example in the capital:
Spar on Upper Leeson Street Most outlets of this grocery chain make little or no effort to adapt to their surroundings, but here is an exception. Thanks to determined efforts by the local residents' association, the shop's frontage fits comfortably with that of its neighbours and signage has been kept to an understated minimum. It is just a pity that the interior reverts to the garish norm.