Petition started to save Nuneaton's lilypad fountain

'There's a real feeling of the people that there is something wrong with this'

Nuneaton and Bedworth Community Association have started the 'save the fountain' campaign to keep the Lilypad fountain.

The fountain is currently in the centre of the town and links together Queens Road, Market Place and Coventry Street.

Councillors voted to remove the feature to help open up the space.

Bradley the secretary of the community association said: "We would really like the fountain to stay in place. It's much loved by the local people. It's calming, relaxing, it is fun for children."

Listen here to Bradley

It will cost the council £40,000 to remove the fountain.

Councillor Samuel Croft, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Affairs at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said: “This is another stage in Nuneaton town centre regeneration, the current fountain takes up space in what should be an attractive central market square.

“Removing it will open up a central plaza and let us have more space for events, markets, and outdoor dining, and also help make the town look nicer by showing off our heritage buildings.

“While the vast majority of our visitors are law-abiding, it is currently a magnet for anti-social behaviour, vandalism and a meeting place for troublemakers, especially after hours and this plan will aid with attempts to clean up and restore order to the town centre.’’

The fountain has caused problems for the town as washing up liquid has been poured into the sculpture in the past.

Listen here to what people at the fountain thought about it being dismantled.