The Labour-run council has insisted the planters are ‘stylish’ (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
A Labour council has been slammed for spending £90,000 on “ugly lumpy things” in a UK city centre. Leicester City Council installed a dozen planters on busy shopping streets this week, with plans to fill them with trees and shrubs over the coming days.
Labour mayor Sir Peter Soulsby insisted the curved grey design was “stylish”, but others suggested they “could be much better”, given the hefty price tag. Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Porter described them as “ugly lumpy things”.
He told the BBC: “I suppose they’ll look better when they have plants in, but they have a strange pebbledash design that looks a bit 1970s. Some people might like them, but I think for nearly £8,000 each, they could be much better.”
Local estate agent John Ghent also wrote on Facebook: “I’m all for making Leicester look nicer. I love our city and want to see it thriving! But £90,000?! I appreciate there will be trees going into them, and I don’t know exactly where the funding has come from, what the full cost includes or whether the money could have been spent elsewhere. But surely it’s reasonable to ask whether this represents good value for money?!”
The planters, installed on Market Street, King Street and St Martins, will be filled with small trees, fragrant specimen shrubs and drought-tolerant perennial plants, the council said. The scheme, a partnership between the council and BID Leicester, is aimed at “creating a more attractive route” between Leicester’s New Walk and Old Town areas.
The planters have been described as ‘ugly lumps’ by a councillor (Image: Instagram/ranjit_sc82)
Sir Peter added: “This planting scheme will help make Market Street and St Martins greener and more attractive places to spend time. “It’s part of our continued investment in the city centre and will strengthen the connection between New Walk and the Cathedral area, helping to create a more welcoming environment for residents, businesses and visitors.”
Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester, said the £90,000 scheme would help to “create an attractive, welcoming city centre”, which will in turn benefit “the businesses that operate here and everyone who comes into Leicester to shop, work, eat and spend time”.
“These new planters will bring more greenery and colour to some key city centre streets, while helping to create a stronger and more inviting connection between New Walk, Market Street and Old Town,” he added. “We’re pleased to be working with Leicester City Council on another practical improvement to the city centre environment.”
Fury as Labour Council Spends £90,000 on ‘Ugly Lumps’ in UK City – Taxpayers Demand Answers
A major controversy has erupted in Leicester after a Labour-run council spent £90,000 installing a dozen new concrete planters in the city centre, prompting criticism from residents and opposition councillors over the appearance and value for money of the project.
The newly installed structures, which have appeared along some of Leicester’s busiest shopping streets, have quickly become a talking point.
While the council insists the planters are stylish and will improve the appearance of the city once filled with trees and shrubs, critics have questioned whether spending almost £8,000 on each structure represents a sensible use of public money.
At a time when councils across Britain are under financial pressure and residents are struggling with the cost of living, the expenditure has reignited an important debate about local government priorities.
£90,000 for Just 12 Planters
Leicester City Council has installed 12 large planters along Market Street, King Street and St Martins.
The scheme has a total reported cost of £90,000, working out at approximately £7,500 per planter.
The structures feature a curved grey design with a textured, pebbledash-style finish.
However, their appearance has not impressed everyone.
Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Porter described them as ‘ugly lumpy things’ and questioned whether the design justified the price.
Speaking to the BBC, Porter suggested that although the planters might look better once filled with plants, their current appearance was reminiscent of the 1970s.
He also questioned whether the council could have achieved a better result for the money spent.
His criticism has added to growing public discussion about the project’s overall cost and design.
Residents Question Whether Taxpayers Are Getting Value for Money
The controversy has extended beyond the council chamber.
Local estate agent John Ghent also questioned the expenditure in a Facebook post.
He expressed support for improving Leicester’s appearance but argued that spending £90,000 on the planters deserved proper scrutiny.
His comments reflected a wider concern about whether public money could have been directed towards other priorities.
Residents want to know exactly what the total cost includes, where the funding originated and whether the project will deliver lasting benefits.
These are reasonable questions whenever local authorities commit substantial sums to public improvement schemes.
Labour Mayor Defends the Controversial Design
Leicester’s Labour mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, has defended the project against criticism.
He described the planters as stylish and argued that people would appreciate their appearance once the trees and shrubs had been installed.
The council says the scheme is intended to create a greener and more attractive route connecting New Walk with the city’s historic Old Town and Cathedral area.
The planters are expected to contain:
- Small ornamental trees.
- Fragrant specimen shrubs.
- Drought-tolerant perennial plants.
- Seasonal greenery and colour.
Soulsby also said the council had spoken with local traders, who had been enthusiastic about the proposals.
His position is that the project should be judged on its finished appearance rather than on photographs of the empty structures.
Why Is the Council Spending Money on Planters?
The council says the investment is part of a wider effort to improve Leicester city centre.
Like many British cities, Leicester has faced challenges associated with changing shopping habits, online retail and the financial difficulties affecting traditional high streets.
Local authorities are increasingly looking for ways to encourage people to visit city centres, spend time in public spaces and support independent businesses.
Greenery can contribute to these objectives by making streets more attractive and providing a more welcoming environment.
The council is working alongside BID Leicester, a business improvement organisation representing local businesses.
Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester, said the project would help create a more attractive environment for people shopping, working, eating and visiting the city.
The partnership believes additional greenery will strengthen the connection between important parts of Leicester’s city centre.
The Bigger Question: Are Councils Spending Wisely?
The Leicester controversy highlights a wider debate affecting local authorities throughout Britain.
Councils are responsible for maintaining roads, supporting vulnerable residents, providing social care, managing waste and investing in public spaces.
Many are operating under considerable financial pressure.
Consequently, spending decisions involving tens of thousands of pounds can attract intense scrutiny.
Supporters of the Leicester scheme argue that improving public spaces can benefit local businesses and encourage investment.
Critics counter that councils must demonstrate clear value for money, particularly when residents are facing higher bills and local services are under pressure.
The disagreement is not simply about whether people like the appearance of the planters.
It is also about transparency, accountability and whether the expected benefits justify the expenditure.
Will the Planters Look Better Once Completed?
The council has indicated that trees and shrubs will be installed in the planters, transforming their appearance.
An artist’s impression shows how the structures are expected to look once the planting work is complete.
The final result may therefore look considerably different from the bare grey structures currently attracting criticism.
However, questions about the cost will remain.
Residents will want to see whether the plants are properly maintained, whether the scheme improves the shopping streets and whether local businesses experience any noticeable benefits.
A successful public improvement project should deliver lasting value rather than simply provide a temporary visual attraction.
Conclusion: Leicester Taxpayers Want Answers
The £90,000 Leicester planter controversy has exposed a disagreement over public spending, urban improvements and local government priorities.
Councillor Nigel Porter has criticised the design as unattractive, while local residents have questioned whether the money represents good value.
Labour mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has defended the scheme, arguing that the planters will improve the city centre once filled with trees and shrubs.
Ultimately, the finished project will need to demonstrate that the investment delivers meaningful benefits for Leicester.
Improving public spaces is a legitimate responsibility for local councils, but taxpayers also have every right to question how their money is being spent.
The real test will be whether these £90,000 planters become a lasting improvement to Leicester or remain an expensive talking point in the city’s ongoing debate about council spending.