Drinks advert may be one of oldest of its kind in whole of United Kingdom

A campaign is under way to try and preserve what could be one of the oldest surviving examples of 20th Century drinks advertising in the UK.

Hundreds of people have shown their support after Dundee man Stephen Knight posted online about his hopes of restoring the piece of Guinness street advertising.

Mr Knight posted a photo of what remains of the iconic “Guinness is good for you” advert, painted on the side of a building in Perth Road.

He said: “This is the side of the house we are living in Perth Road, Dundee. As you can see, it needs some TLC.

“However, the Guinness advert you can just about make out would disappear. I reckon this is probably the oldest Guinness advert in the UK so it would be a real shame to paint over it. “Am hoping to be able to restore it.” Mr Knight also asked for any help or advice — and was soon overwhelmed with hundreds of messages of support.

The building was, at one time, home to a popular nightclub and fish and chip shop called The Shakespeare and Underworld.

Students of a certain age will remember “The Shake”, owned and operated by Ella Paladini.

Her grandson, gallery owner and Broughty Ferry trader Sandro Paladini, has fond memories of giant billboard hoardings which used to hang on the wall.

“My grandparents came over from Italy and my grandfather died at a very young age,” he said.

“Sometime in the 1950s my grandmother, Ella Paladini, purchased the block and ran the famous Shakespeare restaurant and Underworld nightclub throughout the 1960s.

“The Underworld in particular was a very 60s venue, with a large aquarium and I am sure lots of people, especially the students who studied in the city at the art school and Dundee University, will have very fond memories.

“I was very interested to see the post about restoring the Guinness advert.

“I can’t quite remember whether it was a Guinness poster or not but I do remember the giant billboard on the side of the building. It would be great to see Guinness get involved in some way in its restoration.

“My uncle, Lawrence, still owns the block. He is in his 90s now and I can’t imagine the social media campaign would be something he is aware of but I definitely think it would be a wonderful thing for the area.”

One commenter also posted a photo of a similar sign on a pub in Cardiff, which may help ensure the advert is restored to its former glory.

Guinness has long been famous for its original advertising and there are hopes the Perth Road advert may be an original by the firm’s legendary artist John Gilroy.

The Knights have now contacted the Dublin-based firm for their advice and to find out if they might help with a restoration.