A hot topic for shoppers

While a new time and temperature display in Blenheim’s town centre has turned back time for some, others can barely remember the old one.

Sweltered shoppers gave their thoughts on the new 2.4m by 2.4m ‘‘digital billboard’’ yesterday, as the mercury, or LED lights, showed 32 degrees Celsius.

Alichia Evers, playing with her son at the pop-up playground on Market St, was happy the clock was back. She thought displaying advertising and current events above the time and temperature was a good idea too.

Evers said being able to know the exact temperature in town would be her main reason for using the display.

‘‘I do remember there being an old one, but I couldn’t tell you what it looked like, Evers said.

The former neon tube clock and temperature display, that broke down in 2014, was replaced with the region’s first digital billboard on Wednesday, and officially unveiled and fired up yesterday.

The old clock was considered too expensive to repair in 2014.

The new ‘‘monument’’ was erected on Wednesday morning as part of a legacy project to celebrate 100 years of Lions Clubs globally.

The project cost just over $65,000, the screen taking up the bulk of the price with the funds raised from various community groups and local businesses.

A giant screen above the timepiece would eventually display community events and advertise local businesses.

Larissa Larimar was ‘‘sad’’ the giant screen would display advertising. She said people were bombarded by advertising in their day-to-day lives, but was happy as long as it told the time.

Advertising was expected to cover the costs of maintenance with any profits to be reinvested into the community by the Lions.

Harcourts business owner Mark Davis said the new chronometer had been a long time coming, a feeling shared among social media users.

‘‘It’s big and bright and going to have a lot of information on it. It’s amazing,’’ Davis said.

Another Marlburian approached in the shadow of the monument, Emily Marfell, was apathetic about the clock’s return.

‘‘I vaguely remember the old one,’’ Marfell said. ‘‘Anything that confirms it’s nice and hot is a good thing.’’

Blenheim Lions 100-year legacy project convenor Ross Ayson said the project had been nearly two years in the making.

For the first month it would show only local content such as Marlborough scenery and local events, after which advertising would begin showing.

‘‘I am sure the public will appreciate having the time and temperature back again after many years without it,’’ Ayson said.