Home   Spalding   News   Article

Subscribe Now

People have their say on plans to remove Spalding town centre seating




The public have shared their thoughts on a town centre’s ‘circle of doom’ being removed as part of a £280,000 improvement project.

The seating area and associated planters in Spalding’s Hall Place are set to be taken away later this month, it has been revealed.

The area - locally dubbed the ‘circle of doom’ due to the benches forming a sphere - have long been a bone of contention for townsfolk.

The 'circle of doom' in Hall Place, Spalding
The 'circle of doom' in Hall Place, Spalding

Although offering a welcome rest for shoppers, a communal place for people to chat and also a place to sit and listen to street performers, the benches have also become an attractive meeting place for some drinkers.

South Holland District Council recently ran a consultation asking the public what they would like to see on the site.

And although what is due to appear in the spot is yet to be made public, some early sketches suggested more modern benches and planters could be installed.

One reader argued the planters look bare for too much of the year
One reader argued the planters look bare for too much of the year

Following the news that the benches are set to be removed after this weekend’s Pumpkin Festival, readers have had shared their views on the plans.

“Can we have some trees and greenery, please?” asked Poppy Byron.

Andy Chamberlain called on the council to ‘bring back the water feature’ in a nod to the Johnson Fountain which was once situated in Hall Place but now resides in Ayscoughfee Gardens.

More seating nearby
More seating nearby

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it - albeit with one minor tweak - appeared to be the opinion of Diane Voss.

“Was nice yesterday. Few people sat listening to guy singing. Was lovely. Best thing to do is put fountain back there,” she said.

Pat Wensor raised concerns about a like-for-like swap.

“Please don’t replace the planters with new ones,” he said.

“They look scruffy for nine months of the year without any plants and just get used as ashtrays.”

Reader Simon Law believes ‘it won’t matter what’s there’ until the town centre’s stores can compete with the out-of-town Springfields outlet centre.

Others have argued seating must remain.

“Benches in a circle will create a community but the same amount of seats or more scattered around the area would be ideal for the people who just need to take a load off or want a natter,” said Peter Williams.

Keith Mansfield added: “What about the old people? Nowhere for them to take a rest and then resume their business.”

He also suggested ‘more enforcement’ is necessary to discourage day drinking in the town centre.

Sticking with drinking, Sue Cooper says removing or replacing the seating would be ‘just moving the problem from one place to another’

Louise Amy believes the seating was vital and said suggestions of removing them would be ‘not fair on those who use the benches and are not anti-social’.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More