Wigston’s Hollywood-style sign has returned – but locals are not happy, with one resident saying “we know where we live”.
When the £10,500 sign was revealed last year, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) made clear the sign was funded by central government “from a pot specifically for town centre improvements”.
But last month, the sign – which sits on Wakes Road, on the edge of Wigston’s Junction Road car park – was vandalised, with OWBC confirming that two of the letters – the G and the O – were knocked down by vandals and subsequently removed by the authority.
The replaced sign still has barriers up around it, and many of the letters have deep scratches across them.
Debbie Robinson and 17-year-old Summer Ridgeway were among residents not convinced that the sign was a good use of funds.
Debbie, 61, said: “It’s a waste of money – we’ve got no public toilets but they spend money on this. It’s not giving any more choice of shops [attracting retailers].”
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed what Debbie said. He added: “I think [the sign] is a waste of money. It was obvious what was going to happen [the vandalism]. There’s no need for it.”
Jacqui Moore said: “The public are tired of bills going up exponentially while government and councils just waste it. No one explains why this money has been spent in this way.
“We know where we live, so don’t need a sign. The murals in Wigston, Oadby and South Wigston are also a waste of money when we are in a cost of living crisis and the country has so much debt. These signs are going up in other places in the UK too. It’s crazy.”
One woman, who asked not to be named, said the sign was in the wrong location. She said: “I think it’s in the wrong place. It is in a place where it is susceptible to damage.” About the sign, she added: “It seems OK.”
A spokeswoman for the council confirmed the sign would be repainted – adding the barriers would be taken down once complete.
They said: “This was due to be carried out last Friday but had to be postponed due to bad weather, we are in the process of rescheduling with the contractor.
“The cost of the works has been covered by insurance.”
The artwork was commissioned by OWBC and formed part of a series of small public realm improvement works across the borough, to make its town centres “more appealing for visitors and shoppers alike”.
In February last year, a mural celebrating the heritage of South Wigston and the man who is said to be the “builder of South Wigston”, Orson Wright, was unveiled.
Earlier this year, OWBC’s head of the built environment, Adrian Thorpe, said the Wigston sign aimed to replicate the positive response they had already received.
He said: “We are committed to making our town centres welcoming and appealing places for residents, shoppers and businesses alike. These works have been funded by UK Government, and this funding was identified specifically to be used on town centre improvements.
“It is essential that we continue to invest in our town centres. The Wigston lettering forms part of a package of improvements which also included new seating, planting and murals.
“We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from local residents about the murals in Wigston and South Wigston, which as well as making the towns look more attractive have created a sense of local pride and identity – the intention is that the sign will do the same.”
Written by Tess Rushin
