Readers react to new riverside seating, which overlooks the River Welland in Spalding

New riverside seating which has recently been completed as part of a revamp project has received mixed reviews from our readers.

The new seating area has been installed along Spalding’s River Bank as part of a £280,000 plan to improve the town which also includes new planters in Hall Place and Red Lion Street.

For some of our readers, the bench has been welcomed and will encourage individuals to sit by the river more, while others fear it will attract anti-social behaviour and rats.

Ivan Pastore posted on our Facebook page: “Great job! This was long over due but please don’t stop here. We need to carry on and bring this market town back to it’s former glory.”

Luke Stephen Jackson enjoys this area of town and added: “It’s done the riverside a little justice in my eyes, but it’s now down to South Holland District Council and the police to keep it looking that way.”

Rodney Sadd commented: “This enhances the riverside and makes a pleasant rest area whilst in town. We just need to get the White Horse pub refurbished and open and this area of town will look more like a town that cares.

“It will need to be looked after and policed, but this could be the start of welcoming people into the town instead of driving them away.

“I sympathise with people who have fallen on hard times but this needs addressing – people need to feel safe using this area or any part of the town centre.”

Sharon Mckue, Jeremy Mitchell, Mrs Lou Fri and Lorraine Lambert all agree the area looks nice, smart and attractive.

However, some residents do not agree with the seating area and have named it the ‘new bench of doom’ – in comparison to the ‘circle of doom’ planters and benches which were recently removed from Hall Place.

Laura Hammond said: “I think residents of Spalding will moan whatever the council do to try and better the town.

“The area looks much more inviting but I do hope strategies are being put in place to keep them nice for the majority to enjoy. There’s a chance Spalding could be beautiful again, but if the negativity continues and good people give up.”

Sharon Goodley questioned how long it will be until the area is damaged due to anti-social behaviour.

Deborah Brighton said: “They look terrible.” and Bryan Peter commented “It’s a good place for rat catching.”

The latest riverside seating along with the new planters in Hall Place and Red Lion Street have been installed as part of a district council project.

Alongside this, new wooden planters outside Boston College on Red Lion Street, have also been completed — while planters have already been unveiled in Hall Place.

What do you think of the new riverside seating? Let us know in the comments below…