Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower gets a paint job as Emirates sponsorship deal comes to an end

The repainting of the 560ft landmark is part of a regular five year cycle of maintenance but the change in colour coincides with the ending of Portsmouth City Council’s sponsorship deal with the aviation giant Emirates.

Council leader Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: ‘The tower was due to be repainted and we expect it to take around two weeks to complete the job. The tower is our greatest icon and so it is important we keep it looking good.

‘We put aside money every year to go towards the maintenance of the tower.’

What residents will notice is a change in colour from blue and gold to a gleaming white.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘There was originally a plan to paint it red and white but this caused an outcry in the city as it represents the colours of Southampton Football Club. An agreement was reached with Emirates to paint it blue and gold but with their sponsorship having come to an end the tower is going back to its original white colour.

‘Our research has shown that the tower was photographed more often when it was white.’

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The council remain hopeful that a sponsorship deal with a new company can still be agreed.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson added: ‘’Emirates decided not to renew their sponsorship as like many airlines they have suffered a big impact from the global pandemic.

‘We still hope to get a new sponsor in the future but getting sponsorship in the middle of a pandemic is really difficult.’

The five year sponsorship deal with Emirates was worth £4.2m.

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